0:48
- culture
- May 2, 2018
How 'Cobra Kai' compares with classic 'Karate Kid'
Stars Ralph Macchio and William Zabka talk about new show.
0:48
In complete contrast to Johnny, Daniel couldn't be living a better life. He's vastly successful, owning car dealerships in the area, has an amazing wife and loving daughter, who is trained in the martial arts.
What's different from the original \"Karate Kid\" films is that there's no wrong or right, no clear villain or hero. It's true to life and even Johnny's backstory is examined further.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/Entertainment/cobra-kai-william-zabka-ht-jt-180430_hpMain_4x3t_384.jpg\")
\"You don't know what side you are rooting for,” Macchio said. “That's interesting, too. If you don't have conflict in the story, you don't have a story. Over the arc in this season, Larusso, you meet him in a different way.
“He has a void in his life, even though he's successful in his life: his work, his marriage. He's also in that place; maybe he's lost a little of his balance.\"
The \"role reversal,\" he added, “is something fans new and old will appreciate.”
By the end of the 10-episode run, Zabka, 52, added, \"you don't know\" how to feel.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/Entertainment/karate-kid-ralph-macchio-1-1984-gtyt-jt-180430_hpEmbed_9x14_384.jpg\")
A particular sequence toward the end was especially trying for Zabka, bringing back memories of that famed tournament scene more than three decades ago, where Johnny and Daniel square off in the finals.
\"It felt very similar to the movie, where they say, 'Ladies and gentleman, Daniel Larusso's going to fight,'\" he said of the comeback Daniel made against all odds in the original. \"That moment where Johnny's looking around going, 'What's going on?'\"
While the roles may have shifted or changed, Johnny and Daniel still have quite the karate chops, though they said they made it look easier than it really was.
\"You envision the 20-year-old leg going up nice and easy and snapping back, but the 50-year old leg is a lot slower,\" Macchio said. \"Luckily, We've kept in shape and amped it up a bit. To me it's all about stretching.\"
No matter what happens in season 1, Zabka and Macchio are thinking long-term with this show, which ends in a big cliffhanger.
\"If we played it just right ... that should set us up for season 2,\" Macchio said. \"Just a set up for the real story.\"
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