Uncovering the Origins of Cobra Kai
Following six seasons of action-packed, nostalgic karate action, it’s clear why Cobra Kai was a success. However, when the show was first announced nine years ago, even the most devoted fans, including myself, were skeptical. A Karate Kid TV show? Hadn’t the characters aged significantly? It’s intriguing to consider how an executive might have reacted when Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg, and Josh Heald presented their idea to continue the beloved 1980s franchise as a streaming series.
As it turned out, the show’s creation was a triumph. Initially produced by YouTube Red and later acquired by Netflix, the series overcame its initial hurdles. To persuade executives, the creators crafted a pitch trailer using footage from numerous classic films to convey the show’s tone. This trailer, edited by Jeff Yorkes of Muppets Mayhem, had remained private until now.
Hurwitz recently shared the trailer, and its awesomeness has reignited my enthusiasm for the series.
EXCLUSIVE: Check out the Mock Trailer that helped us sell Cobra Kai!
In 2017, we had the daunting task of trying to explain to buyers in Hollywood what we envisioned Cobra Kai to look and feel like. Sure, we had a detailed pitch and Ralph Macchio and William Zabka joining us in… pic.twitter.com/gFqQ1yuudo
— Jon Hurwitz (@jonhurwitz) February 27, 2025
As seen in the post, the pitch trailer features AC/DC’s hit song “Thunderstruck,” which the team had long wanted to incorporate into the show but was initially deemed too expensive. The song finally made it into the final episodes of season six, creating a satisfying full-circle moment.
It’s also fascinating to observe how the show evolved from these early concepts. In the pitch trailer, Daniel LaRusso is depicted as a wealthy Los Angeles millionaire living a lavish lifestyle. Although Daniel is certainly affluent in the actual show, he’s more down-to-earth than initially envisioned. One wonders how much Ralph Macchio’s own influence shaped the character.
Ultimately, the show’s success is undeniable. With six seasons and 65 episodes, Cobra Kai achieved what no sequel series has done before. We explored this phenomenon in a previous article. It’s captivating to see the origins of the show and how it all began.
For more io9 news, check out the upcoming release dates for Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, as well as the future of the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about Doctor Who.
