Innovation & Tech Today - CA (2020-10)

2020 YEAR-END ISSUE | INNOVATION & TECH TODAY 35

It was the right time because I felt these guys
really cared about the franchise. Now, here we

are from YouTube to Netflix and it is exploding
all over the world.

I&T Today: Have you ever trained in Karate

or any other martial art?

RM: For the first movie I went through basic
training if you will. It was like the Cliffs Notes
version to look good while doing it without

paying all the dues.

But it is fight choreography, like a dance. You
must learn the steps, and we designed it to
mimic the Okinawan style, which is defensive

and open-handed, but not aggressive like Cobra
Kai. The style also lends itself to my body and
lankiness.

When you think of the crane pose, it’s all arms

and legs. I know Billy Zabka kept it up a few

years after, but when they stopped paying me, I

stopped wanting to get kicked in the face. It’s

like riding a bike to a point, but the body now

doesn’t respond like it used to.

I&T Today: Can you tell us about the

season three move from YouTube to Netflix?

RM: YouTube was high on the show and made

the highest play to get it at the onset, but they

changed their mandates for the platform and

were going away from scripted entertainment.

Because we just completed the third season

and there were no further commitments, Sony

Pictures worked a deal to re-shop the show

around. Netflix had always been in everyone’s

crosshairs. It has now exploded all over the

world with season three coming out January 8.

The season is done and in the can. I recently

watched it and it is the ultimate fan service, and

yet, it was broader in scope than the first two

seasons. I am excited to give the fans what

they’ve been clamoring for, but not in the way

they’d expect. The season will keep you on your

toes.

We even went to Okinawa to shoot a few

episodes as LaRusso returns to learn some of

the origins of Miyagi-Do Karate. There are new

things about the martial art and Mr. Miyagi that

fans don’t know. It is cool this show can go back

to legacy characters and reveal even more about

them after they’re gone. It is a fist-pumping

season.

We are writing the fourth season right now.

Photo: Guy D'Alema/Sony Pictures Television/Netflix

Photo: Mark HillSony Pictures Television/Netflix

Photo: Jace Down/Sony Pictures Television/Netflix

Photo: Steve Dietl/Sony Pictures Television/Netflix

After finishing the first

two seasons on YouTube,

the third installment of

Cobra Kai premiered on

Netflix Jan. 8, 2021.