Ralph Macchio and William Zabka on how ‘Cobra Kai’ will conclude with a ‘big ’80s movie ending’

On Thursday, Nov. 21, Sony hosted an awards screening and panel discussion for Netflix’s “Cobra Kai” at the Anthony Quinn Theater in Culver City, Calif. The Q&A included “Cobra Kai” and “Karate Kid” franchise stars Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, plus showrunners, writers, directors, and executive producers Hayden Schlossberg, Jon Hurwitz, and Josh Heald. The event concluded with a lively lunch reception on the Sony Pictures Lot.

The sixth and final season of “Cobra Kai” was released in three parts, each containing five episodes. Part 1 streamed on July 18, Part 2 streamed on Nov. 15, and Part 3 is scheduled for early 2025. The main cast members for the last run of episodes include Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, Zabka as Johnny Lawrence, Courtney Henggeler as Amanda LaRusso, Xolo Maridueña as Miguel Diaz, Tanner Buchanan as Robby Keene, and Mary Mouser as Samantha LaRusso.

“You need to hit bottom to come back up,” Macchio revealed about the “shocking” ending of Episode 610, which screened for the audience after Episode 609, and culminated in a major death. “I have not seen the last five episodes,” he added, “so I’m just as excited as [the audience] for how it all comes together. But it’s set up to embrace that big ’80s movie ending that I have a feeling we’ll find, and go forward.”

Macchio said, “It feels right to land the plane, ‘Cobra Kai’-proper. People are always saying, ‘Are you sad, are you miserable, it’s all over, it’s ending now.’ This chapter is ending. I never say never with this franchise.” That’s a possible reference to the upcoming 2025 feature film “Karate Kid: Legends,” in which he stars alongside Jackie Chan. “But it feels right that these guys got to do it on their terms and I’m super proud that we got that opportunity.”

SEE ‘Cobra Kai’ heads to Barcelona in Season 6, Part 2 trailer [Watch]

Zabka joked about the “uplifting ending” of Episode 610 before declaring, “This has been an amazing journey since we started seven years ago. I mean, it’s crazy, and it’s a lot of work, it’s a lot of time, it’s a lot of energy. This last season we started in January and we ended in June. We did 15 episodes with a minimum of 12-hour days, sometimes 14, on very little sleep, very little time to rehearse, very little time to choreograph. It’s like, you have to be an athlete — it’s a marathon.”

Ultimately, Zabka is “glad” the series is over because it takes so much time away from everyone’s families. “But story wise in the show, it’s the right time to end it, and the right way to end it.” He explained that the showrunners “stick the landing” and that there’s a “resolve” at the end of next year’s series finale. “I don’t feel undone with the character. If that’s it, it’s a great ending for everybody.”

Also at the event, the creators unveiled the “Cobra Kai Fan Art Contest,” which gives viewers the opportunity to submit T-shirt designs to commemorate the series. The first round of submissions is open now and closes on Dec. 11. Round two of voting for the top contenders runs from Dec. 19, 2024, to Jan. 6, 2025. Each winner will receive a $3,000 cash prize, along with T-shirts featuring their winning design. Click here to upload your creations.

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