Netflix’s highly acclaimed series “Cobra Kai” concluded in February with a triumphant tournament victory for Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), transforming his previous rival, Daniel LaRusso, from “The Karate Kid,” into a friend and co-sensei over six seasons. Johnny and Daniel were two of the five characters who appeared in all 65 episodes of “Cobra Kai,” trying to pass on what they learned in their youth to their karate students. The series saw the return of various familiar faces from the four original “Karate Kid” movies, including a key scene in Season 6, Part 3, where computer graphics and AI-generated audio brought back Daniel’s mentor, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita).

One actor from the franchise who didn’t appear in “Cobra Kai” was Oscar-winner Hilary Swank, known for her breakout role in 1994’s “The Next Karate Kid.” This film was the first of the four in which Macchio didn’t star, possibly because he was 28 and no longer suited for the role of Daniel. Swank portrayed Julie Pearce, a young fighter whom Mr. Miyagi trained similarly to his mentorship with Daniel.

Series creator Jon Hurwitz has recognized that “The Next Karate Kid” and Julie Pearce are part of the franchise canon, but acknowledged that showrunners were unable to contact Swank to see if she would join “Cobra Kai.” During a Q&A on X, Hurwitz mentioned that they attempted multiple times to involve Swank through her representatives, but direct communication was never established. “In the end, she wasn’t interested in engaging at this time,” he stated. “We respect her wishes and remain huge fans.”

Jon Hurwitz left the door open for Hilary Swank to return to what he called “The Miyagiverse,” and one of Swank’s two Best Actress Oscars was for “Million Dollar Baby,” so she hasn’t left the world of fictional combat behind completely. This is purely a suspicion of ours, not based on any public or private comment, but it’s possible that the reaction of some so-called “fans” of the franchise to “The Next Karate Kid” having been a girl put her off the franchise for good. If that happens to be the case, perhaps a more evolved “Cobra Kai” fandom can help bring her back. But even without Swank, “Cobra Kai” was full of familiar faces from the titular dojo and beyond.  Aside from Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence, fans were rewarded with returns from Johnny’s old sensei John Kreese (Martin Kove), Cobra Kai co-founder Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith), his protege Mike Barnes (Sean Kanan), and henchman Dennis De Guzman (William Christopher Ford). 

The second film’s villain, Chozen Toguchi (Yuji Okumoto), was also back for “Cobra Kai,” as was Daniel’s love interest from that film, Kumiko Tanaka (Tamlyn Tomita). “Cobra Kai” fans clamored from the show’s start for the return of Ali Mills (Elisabeth Shue), over whom Daniel and Johnny fight often in the first film. After her re-appearance was teased in the Season 2 finale, Ali came back for two episodes in Season 3. Johnny’s old buddies Bobby (Ron Thomas), Tommy (Rob Garrison), and Jimmy (Tony O’Dell) returned in “Cobra Kai” Season 2 to have one last party with Tommy, who was terminally ill. Garrison died just a few months later from kidney and liver issues, and Thomas was the only of that trio to return for Season 3. Daniel’s mother, Lucille (Randee Heller), also made four brief appearances. 

“Karate Kid: Legends,” the film following the events of “Cobra Kai,” will also not feature Hilary Swank.