The Trailer That Brought Cobra Kai to Life
Cobra Kai may have ended its run last month, but the story behind its creation remains as compelling as the series itself. As the Karate Kid franchise looks toward its future with Karate Kid: Legends, co-creator Jon Hurwitz has given fans a rare glimpse into the show's origins. By unveiling a previously unseen sizzle reel—a trailer cobbled together to pitch Cobra Kai to streaming platforms—Hurwitz reveals the uphill battle of bringing the beloved franchise back to life.
Sharing the video on X (formerly Twitter), Hurwitz described the daunting task he and his co-creators faced in 2017: convincing Hollywood that Cobra Kai wasn't just a nostalgic cash grab but a worthy continuation of the Karate Kid saga. Their solution? A carefully edited pitch video using footage from Ralph Macchio and William Zabka's past work, interwoven with other clips to convey the show's unique tone. Set to AC/DC's Thunderstruck, this “fake” trailer became their golden ticket to making Cobra Kai a reality.
“In 2017, we had the daunting task of trying to explain to buyers in Hollywood what we envisioned Cobra Kai to look and feel like. Sure, we had a detailed pitch and Ralph Macchio and William Zabka joining us in meetings, but the tone of our show was going to be so specific that we wanted to do our best to show streamers how they could potentially sell the overall story and vibe of Cobra Kai.” – Jon Hurwitz
Selling Cobra Kai: From YouTube to Netflix
Pitching a show is never easy, especially when reviving a beloved franchise. Cobra Kai wasn't immediately picked up by Netflix; instead, it first found a home on YouTube Red, which was then attempting to break into the streaming market. Hurwitz noted that they tailored their pitch video for different platforms, adjusting the branding in the trailer to match each streamer they met with, whether it was Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube.
Eventually, Cobra Kai did make its way to Netflix, where it flourished. Over six seasons, the series explored Johnny Lawrence's redemption arc, introduced a new generation of karate students, and delivered high-stakes drama infused with nostalgic callbacks.
The Thunderstruck Payoff—Six Seasons in the Making
One of the most interesting tidbits Hurwitz revealed was how the pitch trailer's use of Thunderstruck became an obsession for the show's creators. The song, however, was too expensive to license early on, so they settled for a meta-reference in Season 2, with Johnny casually mentioning it in passing. Only in Season 6, during Johnny and Miguel's triumphant dojo takeover, were they finally able to afford the track, making for an epic payoff to a six-year-long dream.
“We became absolutely obsessed with Thunderstruck from watching this trailer over and over again and always wanted to have it on the show. But it was so expensive, we couldn't afford it. Instead, we had Johnny mention it in passing in S2. When making S6, we were determined to finally use the song when Johnny and Miguel took back Cobra Kai, so we saved money in other areas of our budget to make it happen. I'm so glad we did!” – Jon Hurwitz
What's Next for Karate Kid?
With Cobra Kai wrapped up, fans are now looking ahead to Karate Kid: Legends, set to hit theaters on May 30, 2025. The film promises a crossover between the original Karate Kid timeline and the 2010 reboot, with Ralph Macchio reprising his role as Daniel LaRusso alongside Jackie Chan's Mr. Han. Could we see a spinoff from Cobra Kai in the future? Given the franchise's staying power, it wouldn't be surprising.
The reveal of Cobra Kai's original pitch video is a fascinating glimpse into the persistence and passion it takes to bring a beloved franchise back to life. The show's success wasn't just a fluke; it was the result of careful planning, smart storytelling, and a deep love for the Karate Kid legacy. Seeing how a simple sizzle reel played a crucial role in that journey makes us appreciate the series even more.
Cobra Kai might have closed its doors, but its impact will be felt for years to come. And with Karate Kid: Legends on the horizon, the franchise's next chapter is just beginning.
Would you like to see a Cobra Kai spinoff focusing on Johnny or Miguel? Or should the franchise move in a completely new direction? Let us know in the comments!
EXCLUSIVE: Check out the Mock Trailer that helped us sell Cobra Kai!
— Jon Hurwitz (@jonhurwitz) February 27, 2025
In 2017, we had the daunting task of trying to explain to buyers in Hollywood what we envisioned Cobra Kai to look and feel like. Sure, we had a detailed pitch and Ralph Macchio and William Zabka joining us in… pic.twitter.com/gFqQ1yuudo
