Cobra Kai co-creator Jon Hurwitz reveals that the show reached out to Hilary Swank’s representation about the actor making a cameo in season 6. Cobra Kai originated as a spinoff of the Karate Kid movies, expanding on the mythology of those films by focusing on the combative relationship between legacy characters Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso. Over the course of the series, there were many Karate Kid characters who appeared in Cobra Kai, either in supporting roles or via cameos, but Swank’s Julie Pierce from The Next Karate Kid did not appear.
In a tweet on his X/Twitter account, Hurwitz responded to a fan’s question about why Swank didn’t appear by revealing that the show tried hard to have the Oscar-winner appear in the final episodes of Cobra Kai season 6. However, despite speaking with her representatives several times, Hurwitz and his co-creators never spoke directly to Swank, and the actor was not interested in engaging about a return. Check out his tweet below:
It wasn’t for lack of trying. We always loved the idea of Hilary Swank’s Julie Pierce showing up in Cobra Kai’s final episodes, but it wasn’t meant to be. We spoke with her reps several times, but never actually had the opportunity to speak directly with her. At the end of the day, she wasn’t interested in engaging at this time. We respect her wishes and remain huge fans. For what it’s worth, I’m a firm believer that these things happen or don’t happen for a reason. Perhaps one day she’ll return to the Miyagiverse.
The Actor Might Have Had A Few Reasons For Turning Down A Cameo
Some of the Cobra Kai guest appearances were integral to the overarching narrative of the series, like Terry Silver, while others were brief but welcome cameos, like Ali Mills. Having Swank appear on the show would have meant a pretty major character from the Karate Kid movies appeared in some capacity. However, the actor may have had several reasons for turning down the opportunity to appear. For one thing, Swank starred in the fourth movie, but was not present in any earlier ones, so she may not have felt as connected to the franchise as some of the other cast members.
The creators of Cobra Kai have contemplated various spinoffs, and the movie side of the franchise will continue in a few months with Karate Kid: Legends, suggesting there are more avenues for a potential return in the future.
What’s more, there could have been the issue of scheduling conflicts, as the actor appeared in six feature films during Cobra Kai‘s run. Swank also joined the cast of Yellowjackets season 3 in an unknown capacity, which could have resulted in a scheduling clash with Cobra Kai season 6. Whatever the reasons, Hurwitz’s comments suggest Swank didn’t have an interest in returning to the character of Julie, and that it simply wasn’t meant to be. Sometimes planned cameos don’t work out, and Swank’s is one that the show simply couldn’t get over the line.
Our Take On Swank Skipping Cobra Kai
It Would Have Been Nice, But The Show Didn’t Need Another Cameo
Cobra Kai evolved a lot over the course of its six-season run, and evolved the Karate Kid mythology without an over-reliance on what had come before. The Sekai Taikai and the Cobra Kai ending were thrilling and exciting spectacles, and inserting another cameo might have detracted from it. While the guest appearances from Karate Kid characters were great for helping to enrich the narrative arcs of the show, by the end, it didn’t need any more of these cameos. This year’s Karate Kid: Legends is expected to be without a Swank cameo, but there’s a chance she could appear in future Cobra Kai spinoffs.
Source: Jon Hurwitz/X/Twitter
Cobra Kai
8/10
- Release Date
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2018 – 2024
- Network
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Netflix, YouTube Premium
- Showrunner
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Jon Hurwitz
- Directors
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Hayden Schlossberg, Jon Hurwitz, Joel Novoa, Jennifer Celotta, Steven K. Tsuchida, Sherwin Shilati, Marielle Woods, Steve Pink, Lin Oeding, Michael Grossman
- Writers
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Josh Heald, Ashley Darnall, Chris Rafferty, Bill Posley