Legends, I am Nonetheless Aggravated One Character Has But To Return After 31 Years

June 3, 2025

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After not showing in any of Cobra Kai’s ultimate episodes, many followers thought {that a} main character from the franchise would have a cameo in Karate Child: Legends. Sadly, this did not find yourself being the case. The solid of Karate Child: Legends consists of Jackie Chan, who starred within the 2010 reboot movie, Ralph Macchio, who was the unique karate child, and even encompasses a main Cobra Kai cameo. Nonetheless, regardless of these inclusions, the latest movie within the franchise largely focuses on a brand-new character, Li Fong.

In Karate Child: Legends, Ben Wang performs Li Fong, a highschool pupil who strikes from Beijing to New York and finally ends up becoming a member of a karate match. Since its launch, opinions for Karate Child: Legends have been considerably combined, however Display Rant’s personal Mae Abdulbaki gave it a 7 out of 10 and claimed that the movie proves the franchise nonetheless has loads of potential. Although it arguably begins a brand new period for the franchise, I used to be nonetheless hoping Karate Child: Legends would come with Hilary Swank’s Julie Pierce, who hasn’t appeared since 1994’s The Subsequent Karate Child.

Hilary Swank Does Not Seem In Karate Child: Legends

Swank’s Character Is not Even Talked about In Karate Child: Legends

Main as much as the discharge of Karate Child: Legends, many followers thought that Swank’s Julie Pierce could seem within the movie. Her inclusion would not have been misplaced for the reason that film additionally consists of Chan and Macchio. Although Chan’s Mr. Han and Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso are extra fashionable characters within the franchise, Julie Pierce might nonetheless arguably be thought of a “legend” since she was the principle character within the fourth Karate Child film.

Each Karate Child Film	RT Critics Rating
The Karate Child (1984)	81%
The Karate Child Half II (1986)	49%
The Karate Child Half III (1989)	18%
The Subsequent Karate Child (1994)	20%
The Karate Child (2010)	67%
Karate Child: Legends (2025)	59%

Karate Child: Legends is a film that honors Mr. Miyagi, who taught each Daniel and Julia. Whereas Mr. Han refers to Daniel as Mr. Miyagi’s biggest pupil within the movie, there isn’t a point out of Julie. This isn’t completely stunning, since The Subsequent Karate Child is the second lowest-rated film within the franchise. Nonetheless, it is disappointing that the collection continues to disregard Swank’s character.

Hilary Swank Has But To Return To The Karate Child Franchise Since Cobra Kai

Swank Did not Need To Seem In Cobra Kai

Earlier than the discharge of Karate Child: Legends, followers additionally hoped that Swank would possibly reprise her function as Julie Pierce in Cobra Kai. Although The Subsequent Karate Child was acquired poorly, Cobra Kai was a critically acclaimed collection and doubtlessly might have given Swank’s character an important storyline. Regardless of this, Swank was clearly not occupied with showing in Cobra Kai. After the ultimate episodes of the collection premiered on Netflix, co-creator Jon Hurwitz revealed that they tried to get Hilary Swank in Cobra Kai season 6. He stated:

It wasn’t for lack of attempting. We all the time liked the concept of Hilary Swank’s Julie Pierce exhibiting up in Cobra Kai’s ultimate episodes, however it wasn’t meant to be. We spoke together with her reps a number of instances, however by no means truly had the chance to talk instantly together with her. On the finish of the day, she wasn’t occupied with participating right now. We respect her needs and stay big followers. For what it’s value, I’m a agency believer that this stuff occur or don’t occur for a purpose. Maybe at some point she’ll return to the Miyagiverse.

Although she did not seem in Cobra Kai, loads of followers nonetheless had hope that Swank could be extra tempted by Karate Child: Legends, which is the primary film within the franchise in 15 years. It is unknown whether or not the inventive group behind Legends needed Swank to seem, however she sadly would not have a cameo within the film. Due to this fact, it is protected to imagine that Julie Pierce was by no means thought of to be included in Karate Child: Legends, or that Swank merely simply would not wish to ever return to the franchise.

It is Annoying That The Karate Child Franchise Has But To Acknowledge Julie Pierce

Nothing Is Recognized About Julie Pierce Submit-The Subsequent Karate Child

Based mostly on Hurwitz’s feedback, it looks like it was Swank’s choice to not seem in Cobra Kai, however it’s nonetheless a disgrace that the franchise hasn’t acknowledged Julie Pierce since The Subsequent Karate Child. Even when Swank is not occupied with returning, Cobra Kai or Karate Child: Legends might have included a line about what Julie could also be as much as. As a substitute, the Netflix collection and the brand new film each act like Julie would not exist within the Karate Child universe.

Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso training with Ben Wang as Li Fong while Jackie Chan as Mr. Han looks on in Karate Kid: Legends

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It is a disgrace, particularly since so many different characters from the unique films have reprised their roles. From what we have now seen, Julie was Mr. Miyagi’s second most necessary pupil, solely behind Daniel. Due to this fact, even when The Subsequent Karate Child acquired poor opinions, Julie nonetheless deserves to be acknowledged. Due to this, I am disenchanted that Karate Child: Legends would not no less than embrace a reference to Swank’s character and The Subsequent Karate Child.