Elisabeth Shue is sharing her thoughts on returning to her role from The Karate Kid in Cobra Kai. Speaking at a panel during MegaCon Orlando on Sunday, February 9, Shue, aged 61, confessed to feeling “a little worried” about portraying Ali Mills Schwarber once again, but expressed her gratitude for being part of the Cobra Kai family.
Cobra Kai, set over 30 years after the original movie’s premiere in 1984, delves into the ongoing feud between martial arts rivals Johnny and Daniel. In The Karate Kid films, Shue’s character Ali serves as the love interest for both Johnny and Daniel. Following her breakup with Johnny, she quickly forms a connection with Daniel, igniting a rivalry between the two young men.
In Cobra Kai, Ali is depicted as a pediatric surgeon based in Denver, married to an oncologist named Gregory Schwarber. The storyline sees her reuniting with her childhood sweetheart in the hopes of reconciliation.
At MegaCon, Shue humorously pondered the possibility of reprising her role, questioning if it would ever come to fruition. She admitted, “Actually, I was a little worried about joining the show initially because I wasn’t pleased with how my character was written out of Karate Kid 2.”
Ali’s absence in the second film was addressed with a single reference to the breakup between her and Daniel. Shue agreed to revisit the character after the creators assured her that they would delve into the real truths surrounding the character’s journey.
“It’s all about vindicating Ali,” Shue remarked. “That closure was essential. Without Ali, there would be no Karate Kid. There would be no Cobra.”
Following its debut on YouTube Red/YouTube Premium in 2018, Cobra Kai made the transition to Netflix in 2020. The upcoming third part of the series’ sixth and final season is set to premiere later this month.
In a letter addressed to fans, the show’s creators, Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg, expressed their desire for the series to conclude on their own terms. They emphasized their commitment to narrating each character’s arc from inception to culmination as originally envisioned.
While the creators have hinted at the possibility of spinoff series, Schlossberg mentioned to The Hollywood Reporter in July 2024, “Cobra Kai is, in a sense, a spinoff of The Karate Kid… We believe we could explore that avenue with any character from the show. We contemplate the enjoyment of following them in their futures and reflecting on their pasts.”
To stay informed about the latest stories, sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter for a comprehensive overview of what PEOPLE has to offer – ranging from celebrity updates to captivating human-interest narratives. The final installment of Cobra Kai’s concluding season premieres on Netflix on February 13.
