Fans ofCobra Kaihave been asking for a Hilary Swank cameo for years, but it is much more likely to happen inKarate Kid: Legends. The first threeKarate Kidmoviesfocused on the relationship between Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi and Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso. However, Macchio did not return for the fourthKarate Kidmovie, which meant that Mr. Miyagi needed a new student. The story of1994’sThe Next Karate Kidfollows Mr. Miyagi, who meets angry teenager Julie, who is played by Swank and is the granddaughter of his former military commander.
Just like him and Daniel in the first three movies, Mr. Miyagi and Julie form a special bond inThe Next Karate Kid. However, their relationship was not further explored in otherKarate Kidfilms. The onlyKarate Kidmovie sinceThe Next Karate Kidwas the 2010 reboot starring Jackie Chan. However, that will change with theupcomingKarate Kid: Legends, which will star both Macchio and Chan. SinceKarate Kid: Legendsis merging two eras of the long-running franchise,it is perfectly set up to include a Hilary Swank cameo.
Mr. Miyagi Brings Daniel & Mr. Han Together In Karate Kid: Legends, So A Hilary Swank Cameo Would Make Sense
Swank’s Julie Was Mr. Miyagi’s Student In The Next Karate Kid
For a long time, the originalKarate Kidmovies and the 2010 reboot were not considered to be connected. However,Karate Kid: Legendsbrings Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Han, major characters from two different eras of the franchise, together. The trailer forKarate Kid: Legendsteases that Daniel and Mr. Han both knew Mr. Miyagi. While Daniel’s relationship with his former mentor was told across three films, it is currently unknown exactlyhow Mr. Han knew Mr. Miyagi.
Regardless, it is clear that Mr. Miyagi is the bridge that allows Daniel and Mr. Han to connect inKarate Kid: Legendsas they work together to train a new student, Li Fong. Therefore,Karate Kid: Legendspresents the perfect opportunity to also feature Swank’s Julie. Even thoughThe Next Karate Kidwas not a particularly well-receivedKarate Kidmovie, Julie is still an important character in the franchise, since she was also a student of Mr. Miyagi. Because of this, it would be disappointing if Swank didn’t appear inKarate Kid: Legends.
A Movie Cameo Could Be More Appealing To Hilary Swank
Swank’s Long-Awaited Return Could Happen In Karate Kid: Legends
Even though the 2010 reboot received respectable reviews and was also a commercial success, there were no indications that any futureKarate Kidmovies were going to be made. This is why it was so exciting whenCobra Kaidebuted on Netflix and brought back iconic characters such as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence.For years, fans ofCobra Kaihave been asking for a Swank cameo, which would reveal what happened to Julie after the events ofThe Next Karate Kid. While this would be exciting, it has never happened.
Ralph Macchio & Jackie Chan’s Karate Kid Movie Will Continue A Mr. Miyagi Trend That Began With Cobra Kai
The upcoming Karate Kid movie starring Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan will continue a Mr. Miyagi trend that began in 2018 with Cobra Kai season 1.
There is a chance that Swank could appear inCobra Kai’sfinal episodes, but it’s much more likely that she would want to return forKarate Kid: Legends.Karate Kid: Legendsis honoring the franchise’s history, so it’s a great opportunity for Swank to reprise her role as Julie. Additionally, a movie cameo is likely much more appealing to Swank than a television cameo. Therefore, even though it is unknown whether Swank will ever reprise herKarate Kidrole,the upcomingKarate Kid: Legendsis perhaps the best opportunity she will ever have to return as Julie.
The Karate Kid Story Won’t Feel Complete Unless Hilary Swank Returns Somewhere
Swank Not Returning In Karate Kid: Legends Would Be Disappointing
It’s great that Daniel and Mr. Han will both have prominent roles inKarate Kid: Legends. They are without a doubt more popularKarate Kidcharacters than Julie, but it would still be disappointing if Swank never returns to the franchise.Karate Kid: Legendshas the difficult task of honoring the franchise’s past while also paving a new path forward. The direction the movie seems to be taking with Daniel and Mr. Han is exciting, butits story won’t feel complete if Swank doesn’t also reprise her role.
89%
45%
15%
7%
The Karate Kid (2010)
67%
The Next Karate Kidis an entry in the franchise that cannot just be ignored or forgotten. Despite the reviews,The Next Karate Kidis still special because it was Morita’s lastKarate Kidmovie. Therefore,if one ofKarate Kid: Legends’goals is to honor Morita, then it only makes sense for it to feature the student that Mr. Miyagi taught in his final appearance. If Swank doesn’t return as Julie inKarate Kid: Legends, she will likely never reprise her role, which would be a shame.
Karate Kid: Legends
Cast
Karate Kid: Legends is a sequel to Cobra Kai and The Karate Kid directed by Jonathan Entwistle. The film sees Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan reprising their roles, continuing the legacy of martial arts mentorship and rivalry in a new era of challenges and apprentices.
