Legends, I am Nonetheless Irritated One Character Has But To Return After 31 Years

After not showing in any of Cobra Kai’s remaining episodes, many followers thought {that a} main character from the franchise would have a cameo in Karate Child: Legends. Sadly, this did not find yourself being the case. The forged of Karate Child: Legends consists of Jackie Chan, who starred within the 2010 reboot movie, Ralph Macchio, who was the unique karate child, and even contains a main Cobra Kai cameo. Nevertheless, regardless of these inclusions, the latest movie within the franchise largely focuses on a brand-new character, Li Fong.

In Karate Child: Legends, Ben Wang performs Li Fong, a highschool scholar who strikes from Beijing to New York and finally ends up becoming a member of a karate match. Since its launch, critiques for Karate Child: Legends have been considerably blended, however Display Rant’s personal Mae Abdulbaki gave it a 7 out of 10 and claimed that the movie proves the franchise nonetheless has plenty of potential. Regardless that it arguably begins a brand new period for the franchise, I used to be nonetheless hoping Karate Child: Legends would come with Hilary Swank’s Julie Pierce, who hasn’t appeared since 1994’s The Subsequent Karate Child.

Hilary Swank Does Not Seem In Karate Child: Legends

Swank’s Character Is not Even Talked about In Karate Child: Legends

Main as much as the discharge of Karate Child: Legends, many followers thought that Swank’s Julie Pierce might seem within the movie. Her inclusion would not have been misplaced because the film additionally consists of Chan and Macchio. Regardless that Chan’s Mr. Han and Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso are extra fashionable characters within the franchise, Julie Pierce might nonetheless arguably be thought of a “legend” since she was the principle character within the fourth Karate Child film.

Karate Child: Legends is a film that honors Mr. Miyagi, who taught each Daniel and Julia. Whereas Mr. Han refers to Daniel as Mr. Miyagi’s biggest scholar within the movie, there isn’t a point out of Julie. This isn’t solely stunning, since The Subsequent Karate Child is the second lowest-rated film within the franchise. Nevertheless, it is disappointing that the collection continues to disregard Swank’s character.

Hilary Swank Has But To Return To The Karate Child Franchise Since Cobra Kai

Swank Did not Need To Seem In Cobra Kai

Earlier than the discharge of Karate Child: Legends, followers additionally hoped that Swank would possibly reprise her function as Julie Pierce in Cobra Kai. Regardless that The Subsequent Karate Child was obtained poorly, Cobra Kai was a critically acclaimed collection and probably might have given Swank’s character an ideal storyline. Regardless of this, Swank was clearly not desirous about showing in Cobra Kai. After the ultimate episodes of the collection premiered on Netflix, co-creator Jon Hurwitz revealed that they tried to get Hilary Swank in Cobra Kai season 6. He stated:

It wasn’t for lack of making an attempt. We all the time liked the concept of Hilary Swank’s Julie Pierce displaying up in Cobra Kai’s remaining episodes, however it wasn’t meant to be. We spoke together with her reps a number of occasions, however by no means truly had the chance to talk straight together with her. On the finish of the day, she wasn’t desirous about participating at the moment. We respect her needs and stay enormous followers. For what it’s value, I’m a agency believer that these items occur or don’t occur for a purpose. Maybe someday she’ll return to the Miyagiverse.

Regardless that she did not seem in Cobra Kai, plenty of followers nonetheless had hope that Swank may be extra tempted by Karate Child: Legends, which is the primary film within the franchise in 15 years. It is unknown whether or not the inventive workforce behind Legends wished Swank to look, however she sadly would not have a cameo within the film. Subsequently, it is protected to imagine that Julie Pierce was by no means thought of to be included in Karate Child: Legends, or that Swank merely simply would not need to ever return to the franchise.

It is Annoying That The Karate Child Franchise Has But To Acknowledge Julie Pierce

Nothing Is Identified About Julie Pierce Put up-The Subsequent Karate Child

Based mostly on Hurwitz’s feedback, it looks like it was Swank’s choice to not seem in Cobra Kai, however it’s nonetheless a disgrace that the franchise hasn’t acknowledged Julie Pierce since The Subsequent Karate Child. Even when Swank is not desirous about returning, Cobra Kai or Karate Child: Legends might have included a line about what Julie could also be as much as. As a substitute, the Netflix collection and the brand new film each act like Julie would not exist within the Karate Child universe.

This can be a disgrace, particularly since so many different characters from the unique films have reprised their roles. From what we’ve seen, Julie was Mr. Miyagi’s second most essential scholar, solely behind Daniel. Subsequently, even when The Subsequent Karate Child obtained poor critiques, Julie nonetheless deserves to be acknowledged. Due to this, I am disillusioned that Karate Child: Legends would not a minimum of embody a reference to Swank’s character and The Subsequent Karate Child.

Karate Child: Legends

7/10

Launch Date

Might 30, 2025

Runtime

94 minutes

Director

Jonathan Entwistle

Writers

Rob Lieber