“It hasn’t gone away since 1984,” the Daniel LaRusso actor pointed out.

Ralph Macchio shares the 1 thing it would take for* The Karate Kid* franchise to go on forever

"It hasn't gone away since 1984," the Daniel LaRusso actor pointed out.

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

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December 21, 2025 6:25 p.m. ET

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Ralph Macchio on 'Cobra Kai'. Credit:

Ralph Macchio believes the *Karate Kid* can live on forever — but first, it needs to hit pause.

The actor, who originated the role of Daniel LaRusso in the 1984 film, has high hopes for the future of the franchise that launched his career. But he also recognizes that fans might need a break.

"Between the series and the movie with Jackie Chan, all that colliding at the same time, I just think there needs to be a reset," Macchio told *PEOPLE* in an interview published Dec. 20. "And then finding the perfect way to launch, because the fan base — it's never gone away. It hasn't gone away since 1984."

He added, "But you want to service and be organic, and be true to the integrity of the characters. So that's always a challenge once you are in the long game."

Ralph Macchio and William Zabka in 'The Karate Kid'. Everett Collection

After starring in the original *Karate Kid* trilogy, Macchio continued Daniel LaRusso's story on the YouTube Red turned Netflix series *Cobra Kai*, which sees his iconic character rediscover his love of karate and form a tentative friendship with his old rival, Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). The series aired its sixth and final season earlier this year.

Macchio has since appeared with Jackie Chan in this year's *Karate Kid: Legends, *which introduced Ben Wang *(American Born Chinese)* as Li Fong, the great-nephew of Chan's Mr. Han.**

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Asked about the future of the *Karate Kid *franchise, Macchio admitted, “There's been discussions" but noted that there's "nothing set" just yet.

He added, "Me and the guys who write that show and other actors involved, we're all open to communicating. But something isn't coming tomorrow. I don't have that secret yet. Maybe we do a few other things. And *Cobra Kai* never dies. *Karate Kid *lives forever."

*Legends* remains the latest entry in the franchise. The film, which hit theaters in May, follows Li Fong as he moves from China to New York City with his mother (Ming-Na Wen). Like Daniel LaRusso before him, Li has trouble with bullies at school, leading him to join a karate competition and turn to his old sensei, Mr. Han, for training. When Mr. Han enlists original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso for help, Li must learn a new way to fight, merging their two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown.

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Source: “EW Movies”