Cobra Kai's Creators Discuss Bringing Back Mr. Miyagi: A Careful Approach

The creators of the popular Netflix series *Cobra Kai

are navigating the delicate legacy of the original *Karate Kid* films as they prepare for the show's sixth and final season. While expanding the *Karate Kid* mythology and introducing new characters, they've been careful to honor the memory of the late Pat Morita, who played the iconic Mr. Miyagi.

Despite the show's willingness to bring back other familiar faces like Elisabeth Shue, Thomas Ian Griffith, and Yuji Okumoto, the creators have never considered replacing Morita as Mr. Miyagi. The series consistently highlights Miyagi's lasting impact on Daniel LaRusso, emphasizing the importance of preserving Miyagi's values in the dojo.

However, the creators haven't completely ruled out exploring the character of Nariyoshi Miyagi in different eras. Josh Heald, series co-creator, expressed a desire to delve into Miyagi's past, potentially exploring his younger years with a different actor.

"We discussed it," Heald explained. "I don't think we would ever recast Miyagi if we are looking at the Pat Morita-aged Miyagi. But it's not outside the realm of possibility that we would want to perhaps explore different eras of Mr. Miyagi at some point in this franchise, with a different performer."

Heald and his fellow showrunners are acutely aware of the reverence fans hold for the original *Karate Kid

films and are committed to preserving Morita's legacy. They acknowledge that a story focused on Miyagi's younger years could work, but only if it stands apart from the events of the original films and avoids any direct resemblance to Morita's portrayal.

"I think we personally bump on the idea of going back to a timeline that overlaps with when Daniel knew Miyagi, and do that with anybody other than Pat," Heald stated. "We've been very careful in the series so far to use the footage and to shoot – there was a scene where I shot Miyagi from behind when he first built the backyard. But to turn around and (show) the face, it would have to either be a different era, or it would have to be Pat."

Heald's reservations are well-founded. The use of CGI to bring back beloved characters in other franchises, such as the *Star Wars

franchise, has met with criticism due to the inherent limitations of the technology. Fans often find it jarring to see a digitally recreated version of a character, particularly when the original actor is still vividly remembered.

The *Cobra Kai

creators understand the delicate nature of trying to tell more stories about Mr. Miyagi. While they acknowledge the potential for a story set in Miyagi's younger days, they remain committed to respecting Morita's legacy and avoiding any attempt to digitally replicate him.

As *Cobra Kai

draws to a close, the showrunners are exploring potential avenues for the franchise to continue. Their consideration of exploring Mr. Miyagi's past, even with a different actor, highlights their dedication to the *Karate Kid* universe and their desire to honor the spirit of the original films. The final season of *Cobra Kai* premieres on Netflix on July 18th, and it remains to be seen what future endeavors await this beloved franchise.