The former prodigy was the protagonist of the original trilogy before returning to the role – this time as a mentor – in hit TV show Cobra Kai, and now he's making his big-screen return for the first time since 1989 in new film Karate Kid: Legends.
But he still has a key role to play in the narrative, and so some fans might be wondering how the film ties into the events of Cobra Kai, which drew to a close with its sixth season earlier this year.
How is Karate Kid: Legends connected to Cobra Kai?
Technically speaking, the film is a sequel to the events of Cobra Kai – although other than a brief cameo from William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence, the only character to reprise his role from the TV series in a major way is Ralph Macchio.
In an interview with Variety in November last year, Macchio explained that the films were in "separate ecosystems", but that Daniel was clearly the same character we had most recently seen in Cobra Kai and that the events of that show do in some way lead him to the new film.
"Once we were able to line that up, for the Cobra Kai story to lead into the new film — even though they’re separate ecosystems — it all made sense for me."
This is the first time that Mr Han and Daniel LaRusso have appeared on screen together, and that was another pull for Macchio when it came to signing on for the project.
So, in short – while Karate Kid: Legends continues the story of Daniel LaRusso, it is otherwise fairly divorced from the events of Cobra Kai.
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"But his newfound peace is short-lived after he attracts unwanted attention from a formidable local karate champion. Driven by a desire to defend himself, Li embarks on a journey to enter the ultimate karate competition.
Karate Kid: Legends is released in UK cinemas on Friday 30th May 2025.
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