The cast of Netflix’s Cobra Kai has revealed their unique inspirations for the fight sequences in the acclaimed series. Although the cast does not choreograph the various fight scenes, they contributed creatively by drawing influences from both martial arts classics and unexpected sources. As part of the Karate Kid franchise, Cobra Kai concluded its six-season run with a highly emotional finale, offering fans an ending that is sure to ignite discussions around the globe. This final week saw the release of the last five episodes of Season 6 on Netflix, which, despite more drama than action, still left a lasting impression on viewers.
The young ensemble cast recently spoke to Entertainment Weekly, shedding light on how they infused their favorite martial arts moments into some of the show’s most thrilling sequences. Notable scenes, such as the school fight in Season 2 and the chaotic brawl in Season 6’s Sekai Taikai, showcase their creative inputs. Xolo Maridueña, who portrays Miguel Diaz, explained their collaborative process: “We get to take moves and draw inspiration from some of our favorite martial arts movies and bring them to our stunt coordinators and be like, ‘Hey, how can we incorporate something like this — there’s this flip or there’s this kick?'”
Jacob Bertrand, known for his role as Hawk, offered a more specific insight into how he drew inspiration for choreography: “I definitely got to steal some moves from anime. I would just send them clips from anime and be like, ‘I like this, this would be cool, that would be cool.’ And it was fun getting to actually incorporate that stuff into some of the fights.” This blending of various influences features prominently, showcasing the passion and creativity behind the action sequences that fans have come to love.
While the original Karate Kid trilogy remains iconic, the spinoff series Cobra Kai often surpasses it in creativity and engagement. Jamie Buchanan, who plays Robbie, recounted his inspiration stemming from the famous Edgar Wright film, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. He highlighted a specific kick that he wanted to integrate into a high school brawl: “That little wrap-around kick there, me and my stunt double at the time, Caine Sinclair, we both love Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. There’s this one specific kick: they throw their legs up and around and do a side-kick with it.” Together, they devised a plan to execute this move during a pivotal scene, utilizing the banister to perform the kick meticulously. “I was very proud of that,” Buchanan added, “that we kind of got to work that in. Nobody else knows about it, but I guess they do now.”
With the conclusion of its official run, Cobra Kai leaves behind six seasons filled with karate comedy bliss. However, discussions about a potential continuation of the series are already underway. The creators have announced they are developing spin-offs, although they initially confirmed details for only one. This upcoming project will not center on iconic characters like Miyagi, LaRusso, Johnny, Kreese, or Silver but will instead follow the adventures of lesser-known characters, Hawk and Demetri.
Excitingly, the universe of The Karate Kid will continue to expand with the upcoming film, Karate Kid: Legends, set to debut on May 30, 2025. This marks the first feature film in the franchise in 15 years and will take place years after the events of Cobra Kai. Ralph Macchio reprises his role as Daniel LaRusso, teaming up with Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han from the 2010 remake. Together, they mentor a young martial arts prodigy, Li Fong, as he enters a karate competition in New York City.
The legacy of Edgar Wright’s influence, alongside the rich history of martial arts cinema, continues to inspire a new generation of talent in the filmmaking landscape, exemplified by the innovative fight scenes in Cobra Kai. Fans eagerly await the next chapter in this beloved universe, reflecting on the creativity and energy behind each punch and kick, driven by a passionate approach to storytelling and choreography.
