Four seasons into Cobra Kai, it's clear that characters from throughout the original movies in the Karate Kid series all have the potential to appear in the new show. Prior seasons have established major characters from the films returning in big ways with the original actors reprising the roles. The latest example of this would be Thomas Ian Griffith as Terry Silver, an antagonist from The Karate Kid Part III. So what does this mean for Hilary Swank, the star of The Next Karate Kid?
The show's creators - Jon Hurwitz, Josh Heald, and Hayden Schlossberg - are completely open to bringing in Swank to reprise her role as Julie Pierce. It's a fun concept to think about for fans, as Swank's character never met Ralph Macchio's Daniel LaRusso and it would be interesting to finally see that moment happen as two of Mr. Miyagi's best students. Speaking with Fandom, Hurwitz refuses to say if Swank will appear on Cobra Kai, but given the appreciation they all have for the actress, it seems likely they'll at least try to make it happen.
"All we can say about her is we love Hilary Swank," Hurwitz said. "We think she's a phenomenal actress and we love her character in this franchise. She was taught by Mr. Miyagi and she's somebody who is important to the Karate Kid universe. We can't say if she'll return, we can't say how she'd return if she was going to return."
He added, "We can say that we talk about her and maybe we've met her, maybe we've worked with her, maybe we haven't. We can't tell you anything! It's gonna continue to be a question until either she shows up or the series ends and we welcome the question every time!"
The Next Karate Kid Starred Hilary Swank in Her Breakout Role
Christopher Cain directed The Next Karate Kid using a screenplay by Mark Lee. The sequel brought back Pat Morita for his final performance as Mr. Miyagi, this time serving as a mentor to high school teenager Julie Pierce. While the film was a dud at the box office with overwhelmingly negative reviews, many critics were fond of Swank's performance, and Julie is considered to be her breakout role that launched the actress onto bigger projects.
Cobra Kai's creators aren't the only ones sold on bringing back Swank as Julie. Ralph Macchio has also said he wants to see this happen. The actor recently shut down the notion that Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith from the Karate Kid remake will be involved, as they're not from the "Miyagiverse," referring only to the films which feature Morita. While The Next Karate Kid wasn't a part of the original movie trilogy, it's nevertheless connected because of Morita's return as Mr. Miyagi, and Macchio teased that this could mean Julie will come in next.
"To the flip side of that, someone like Julie Pierce, who is Hilary Swank's role, did know Miyagi. So there's always a chance for maybe that," Macchio said.
All four seasons of Cobra Kai are now streaming on Netflix. It's not yet clear when season 5 will start streaming, but with the show's creators already looking forward to season 6, there should be plenty of opportunities to work Julie Pierce into the story.