With Jackie Chan’s 2010 then-remake ofThe Karate Kidnow folded into the main continuity, the movie can be used to give a canonical explanation for why something was missing fromCobra Kaiseason 6’s biggest storyline. As the most recent ofall theKarate Kidmovies, Chan’s effort will now serve as a prequelwhen the upcoming legacy sequelKarate Kid: Legendsis releasedon August 02, 2025. Of course,Cobra Kaiaired during that period too, but Chan’s shock return to the role of Mr. Han comes in the franchise’s first feature-length production for 15 years.
Although he’ll be a prominent figure in theKarate Kid: Legendscast,Chan will be sharing the spotlight with franchise star Ralph Macchio, who will have only just stepped away fromCobra Kaidue to it concluding after six seasons. So, although Daniel LaRusso meeting Mr. Han may once have been canonically incoherent, those steering the franchise in its new direction have decided such a team-up is just what the saga needs afterCobra Kai’s finale. As such, all the lore in Chan’s 2010 effort is now relevant when discussing the rest of the Miyagi-verse.
Why The Fighting Dragons From 2010’s Karate Kid Didn’t Make The Sekai Taikai In Cobra Kai
The dojo from Chan’s movie didn’t compete in Cobra Kai
The Cobra Kai dojo has a direct counterpart in Chan’s 2010 movie, and the group is known as the Fighting Dragons. With the remake being integrated into the franchise’s main timeline,it feels like a wasted opportunity not to have the Fighting Dragons competeinCobra Kaiseason 6’s Sekai Taikai tournament, now that it’s possible from a canonical perspective. However, there’s a very simple explanation. In short, 2010’sThe Karate Kidremake made the surprising choice for Kung-Fu to be the central martial art, so the Fighting Dragons competing in a karate tournament would be a bit strange.
It’s been made clear by theKarate Kid: Legendswriters that they want the movie to remain isolated fromCobra Kai, which would also explain why the Fighting Dragons don’t show up in the sequel show.
That being said, theKarate Kid: Legendstrailer has already noted the similarities between Karate and Kung-Fu, by artfully including a new line of dialogue: “Two branches, one tree.” So,Cobra Kaicould have bent the rules a little if it really wanted to bring the Fighting Dragons backinto the story. For another in-universe explanation, it could also be that the Fighting Dragons just weren’t good enough to make the cut forCobra Kaiseason 6’s Sekai Taikai. Spots in the tournament aren’t just given to dojos for existing - they need to be earned.
Up Until Karate Kid: Legends, The 2010 Karate Kid Movie Wasn’t Really Canon To Cobra Kai
Mr. Han has been retroactively granted access to the larger franchise
The reason Jackie Chan’s franchise comeback was so surprising was because of the meta implications of two universes becoming one.2010’sThe Karate Kidwas only ever supposed to be a remake of the 1984 original. Other than character names and the setting being altered, the 2010 project was quite clearly a beat-for-beat recreation of the first installment in the franchise. So, it being added to the main canon has resulted in the rest of theKarate KidandCobraKaitimelinebending around Jackie Chan’s movie to accommodate it, which has led to some weird quirks.
Now That Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han Is Back, Cobra Kai’s Missing Karate Kid Character Is Even Harder To Ignore
Jackie Chan was one of the least-expected Karate Kid franchise characters to be revisited, and his return highlights another figure’s absence.
Therefore, although the once-remake can now be involved far more relevantly in conversations about the other movies andCobra Kai, this is a very recent development. In other words, trying to make too much sense of why Mr. Han’s story hasn’t intersected with Daniel’s sooner is likely to lead to quite a lot of inconsistencies. Unfortunately, that’s just the way things are, but it’s still exciting that 2010’sThe Karate Kidhas been retroactively made part ofCobra Kai’s canon.
The Karate Kid
Cast
The Karate Kid is a 2010 remake of the original martial arts drama film released in 1984. Directed by Harald Zwart, this new telling follows young Dre Parker who after a big move with his mother from Detroit, Michigan to Beijing, China, finds difficulty fitting in and manages to get caught in a bullies' crosshairs. Dre is saved by the mysterious maintenance worker named Mr. Han, who teaches him Kung Fu to defend himself.
Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
