Ralph Macchio on Why Now Was the Right Time to End ‘Cobra Kai,’ the Future of Daniel LaRusso and That Coldplay Music Video

In reading about Ralph Macchio’s remarkable career, I find myself utterly captivated by the resilience and adaptability of this talented actor. From his humble beginnings as Daniel LaRusso in the iconic “Karate Kid” franchise to his recent triumphs on “Cobra Kai,” it’s clear that Macchio has not only mastered the art of martial arts but also the art of reinventing oneself in Hollywood.

Serendipity seems to follow Ralph Macchio — and it most recently took him to Australia.

In October, Coldplay unveiled their song titled “The Karate Kid,” which, as you might guess, is thematically linked to the popular film franchise, with lyrics referencing the character “Daniel.” This Daniel, of course, is portrayed by Ralph Macchio in three Karate Kid movies and six seasons of Cobra Kai on Netflix. Upon hearing the song, Macchio shared it on his social media platforms. This caught Coldplay’s attention, leading them to devise a plan. Lead singer Chris Martin invited Macchio to Australia, where they were scheduled for performances, to film the music video. The surprise element was incorporating Macchio into their stage performance of “The Karate Kid.

Macchio remarks, “It was simply one of those rapid, intense experiences.” Fresh from his trip to Australia, he adds, “The track is stunningly beautiful. I find it hard to believe that the song originated from a movie that held such significance for him. Coldplay’s young Chris Martin and they were certainly influenced by us 41 years ago. Time and again, I am left in awe of the enduring emotions and sentiments that the original film continues to evoke across the decades.

In the upcoming weeks, Macchio is poised to encounter another significant moment. With the final five episodes of “Cobra Kai” season coming out this month, Macchio is scheduled to receive his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Interestingly, his recognition will be positioned close to the memorial of his late co-star Pat Morita, who was affectionately known as Mr. Miyagi.

Macchio expresses his delight as he says, ‘That’s just perfectly wonderful at this stage in my life.’ At 63 years old, he is a decade older than Morita was during the original 1984 film. He feels it’s only fitting that he will be connected to Miyagi for eternity, and he couldn’t be more proud and honored by such an association. I recall him stating that receiving a star on the Walk of Fame was likely the pinnacle of his career, coming from humble beginnings. So, I’ll get to embody a bit of the affection that he continues to share with this ‘Karate Kid’ universe.

It’s equally significant that this moment marks a full-circle career experience for Macchio. He vividly recalls his visits to the Walk of Fame as a teenager in the late 1970s when he left his hometown Long Island, New York, to pursue acting in Hollywood.

Macchio recalls, ‘I walked along Hollywood Boulevard in search of Gene Kelly’s star, a land of dreams and aspirations for me.’ Ever since my earliest memories, I yearned to be like Gene Kelly. My mother and I would watch the classic movie musicals together. The names like Clark Gable, which were prevalent in the films and shows I grew up with, always seemed unattainable.

In due time, he secured a recurring part in “Eight Is Enough.” Afterward, he landed his breakthrough role in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 film “The Outsiders,” which was followed by an unforgettable career-defining moment in “The Karate Kid.” The high kick with the crane. Wax on, wax off. Daniel-san. These are enduring pop culture references that will always be associated with Macchio. As he puts it, “People often recall where they first watched ‘The Karate Kid.’ I feel incredibly grateful and honored to have brought happiness to people through my character.

Apart from the original “Karate Kid,” he was featured in the following two sequels and had a significant part in the 1992 film “My Cousin Vinny,” starring Joe Pesci. This movie is frequently played on basic cable, earning it the nickname of the “late-for-dinner” movie because if it’s on, you might end up being late for dinner due to another hilarious scene that keeps you hooked and eager to watch more. As he puts it, “If it’s playing, you’re going to be late for dinner because there’s always another setup waiting to pay off and you can’t tear yourself away from the next one.

However, tough times followed, as depicted in Macchio’s latest memoir titled “Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me.” Drawing inspiration from the wisdom of one of his role models, Michael Caine, Macchio learned to transform the challenges he encountered in both acting and life into opportunities.

He states that he has mastered the skill, having faced some challenging periods in his career. However, those were also the years when he was able to be a significant presence in his children’s lives during their younger years. It’s been ideal, especially with the remarkable revival and surge of success he’s experiencing now. It feels like it couldn’t have been scripted any better, because he gets to relish this experience, and it continues to yield more joy. In essence, the fans have ensured that his success never fades away.

Without a doubt, Macchio has consistently been active in his career. In the 2000s, he secured a recurring role on “Ugly Betty” and was presented with numerous chances to portray himself – many of which he declined. However, he accepted some, such as his appearance on HBO’s “Entourage.

He mentions that out of all the times an offer was made to him, I rejected 90% of them. He also shared a humorous comment about his fame, saying that people might recognize his name more than him. ‘Entourage’ was the first time he played a version of himself, which he found cool and satisfying since it was an interesting choice for the industry, and the episode turned out to be quite good as well.

As a movie enthusiast, I recently had the chance to delve into the Funny or Die spoof titled “Wax On, F*ck Off,” masterfully crafted by filmmaker Todd Holland. This parody cleverly played with Ralph Macchio’s beloved nice guy persona, aiming to transform him into a notorious Hollywood bad boy. “In an era where misbehavior was being handsomely compensated,” he reflects, “I saw myself as a good-hearted individual. The question was, how could I remain relevant in Tinseltown by following the trends that worked?

However, the foundation for “Cobra Kai” was truly laid when they both appeared as guests on “How I Met Your Mother.” In this show, Neil Patrick Harris’ character, Barney, wanted the star of “The Karate Kid” at his party. When Macchio arrived, he was disheartened because he had always seen Johnny Lawrence (Zabka) as the hero.

The central theme, undeniably, evolved to be the crux of “Cobra Kai,” a fresh perspective on the characters from “The Karate Kid” by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg. As this series was being conceptualized (initially for YouTube Originals), Macchio had already secured a contrasting part as a vice cop in HBO’s raw drama “The Deuce.

Hurwitz remarks, “He’s exactly who you imagine your idols to be when daydreaming about meeting them.” He is a compassionate individual and a devoted family man. His demeanor as the lead on set reflects this admirable character, making him an inspiration not only to me but also to a large number of young actors working with us on our show.

Heald interjects: “It’s easy to see, upon meeting him for the very first time, that he’s one of the most authentic people you’ll ever meet. He is thoughtful as a performer and a producer and now a director, and in the way that you want as a collaborator.”

Currently, as “Cobra Kai” concludes, Macchio expresses that the moment “seems perfect” for a successful comeback, but he’s not done yet portraying Daniel LaRusso. He will resurrect the character once more, this time alongside Jackie Chan in “The Karate Kid: Legends,” which unfolds three years after the events of “Cobra Kai.

Macchio explains that the decision wasn’t hasty; it was about safeguarding the Daniel LaRusso character, determining his position at that juncture, and preserving the entire Miyagi-verse legacy. Once they managed to align these factors, for the “Cobra Kai” narrative to transition into the upcoming film – despite being separate universes – it all seemed logical to him. Additionally, collaborating with Jackie was simply thrilling. He started this journey on the big screen, and returning it to the big screen felt incredibly exciting.

Looking ahead, Macchio expresses interest in delving further into directing and is eager to collaborate with Heald, Hurwitz, and Schlossberg to bring a Mr. Miyagi origin story to life. Additionally, he’s keen on expanding the narrative beyond the Karate Kid universe by exploring other characters.

In “The Karate Kid: Legends,” it seems Daniel might bid farewell for now, expressing his sentiment that he doesn’t want to overstay the affection of such a cherished character. However, he acknowledges that, like him, Daniel is growing older, which opens up possibilities for exploring new aspects of the character. So, while it’s not definitive, he leaves open the possibility for future appearances by saying “never say never.

2024-11-20 04:47

Ralph Macchio on Why Now Was the Right Time to End ‘Cobra Kai,’ the Future of Daniel LaRusso and That Coldplay Music Video

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