Latest news with #JonHurwitz
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Cobra Kai' creators say it was 'disappointing' Hilary Swank turned down an offer to return
The creators of Netflix's Cobra Kai managed to pack in an impressive amount of Karate Kid Easter eggs in the show's final season, but there was one major callback they weren't able to make happen: an appearance from The Next Karate Kid's Julie Pierce, played in the 1994 film by future Oscar winner Hilary Swank. It wasn't for lack of trying. Knowing how much fans wanted Julie to show up — and being huge fans of the Karate Kid franchise themselves — Cobra Kai creators Josh Heald, Jon Huwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg began outreach to Swank's representatives in the lead-up to the show's sixth and final season. "We did reach out in the very early days before the season to see if there was a path [for her to appear]," explains Heald. "We had an inkling of an idea about how she could come into this story and not have to commit to 10 episodes or something. It was going to feel like it could be a one- or two-episode arc, similar to what we did with Elisabeth Shue, where you can bring Ali back in at a pivotal moment and affect an important relationship." Armed with what Heald calls "the beginnings of a genesis of an idea," he, Hurwitz, and Schlossberg reached out to Swank's team "to find out if we could have a discussion with her about it and introduce ourselves." That approach has worked before, not only on Oscar nominee Shue, who reprised her role as Ali — who dumped Johnny (William Zabka) for Daniel (Ralph Macchio) in the original Karate Kid — in Cobra Kai season 3. Heald, Hurwitz, and Schlossberg also brought back Yuji Okumoto (Karate Kid Part II antagonist Chozen Toguchi), Sean Kanan (Karate Kid Part III villain Mike Barnes), Thomas Ian Griffith (Part III's big bad, Terry Silver), Robyn Lively (whose Jessica from KKIII turned out to be the cousin of Daniel's wife, Amanda, played by Courteney Henggeler!), and many more. Unfortunately, the conversation with Swank never happened. "On her end, it was very respectful, but we never got that opportunity to sit down and pour our heart out the way that we typically do when we bring back characters from the legacy," Heald says. "She was just in a place where she wasn't looking to do that. She had had babies. I think she was in production on something at the time, and it was a respectful pass on even the idea of a meeting. She didn't want us to go through the trouble of flying out to her and putting our heart on the sleeve because it just wasn't something she was ready to do at that moment." But Cobra Kai never dies — and neither do the creators' hopes about a possible visit from Julie Pierce in a future Miyagi-verse project someday. (The trio is already at work on potential Cobra Kai spinoffs.) "It's a big piece of the Miyagi-verse that's still out there," says Heald. "For us, it was a little disappointing because we like getting everybody, but at the same time, we didn't sacrifice any huge story that we had fully developed. It's more fruit on the vine for if we can revisit this universe going forward." Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Cobra Kai' Creators to Write and Direct ‘Harold and Kumar' Sequel for Mandate Pictures
'Cobra Kai' creators Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg and Josh Heald have closed a deal to write a new sequel for buddy stoner comedy 'Harold and Kumar' at Mandate Pictures, TheWrap has learned. Hurwitz and Schlossberg will also direct the film. Franchise stars John Cho and Kal Penn are expected to return, but no deals have been made yet. 'We're fired up to bring Harold and Kumar back in a return to the unapologetically R-rated, smoke-filled chaos that started it all,' Hurwitz and Schlossberg said in a joint statement to the Hollywood Reporter, which first reported the news. 'It's high time they puff and pass their wisdom onto a new generation. Just don't tell their kids.' The franchise centers on stoner pals Harold Lee (Cho) and Kumar Patel (Penn), who embark on bizarre adventures while under the influence of weed. The series has grossed $104 million worldwide at the box office. The 'Harold and Kumar' franchise has yielded three films; 2004's 'Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle,' which the trio wrote and then went on to make their directorial debut with 2008's 'Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay.' The third film, 'A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas,' was released in 2011. Hurwitz, Schlossberg and Heald are also producing the sequel via their Counterbalance Entertainment banner, alongside franchise producer Greg Shapiro. Lionsgate-owned Mandate, who also produced the original three films in the series, will also produce. The untitled sequel will be one of the first projects produced by Lionsgate's current motion picture group president Nathan Kahane, who is leaving the studio at year's end and returning to Mandate to be a producer. Hurwitz, Schlossberg and Heald, as well as Counterbalance, are repped by CAA and Hansen Jacobson. The post 'Cobra Kai' Creators to Write and Direct 'Harold and Kumar' Sequel for Mandate Pictures appeared first on TheWrap.
Newsweek
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
'Cobra Kai' Creators to Resurrect Fan-Favorite Stoner Comedy 'Harold and Kumar'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors "Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle" remains one of the most beloved stoner comedies of all-time, following Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn) as they attempt to go to White Castle despite numerous obstacles, including a maniacal Neil Patrick Harris as himself. Directed by Danny Leiner and co-written by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, the movie was a box office success and inspired two sequels: "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay" and "A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas." More Entertainment: New 'King of the Hill' Revival Poster Gives First Look at Two Returning Characters Now, it appears that a fourth film is finally in the works, almost 15 years after the third film. Hayden Schlossberg, co-writer, and Jon Hurwitz, co-writer. Hayden Schlossberg, co-writer, and Jon Hurwitz, co-writer. Images According to an article from The Hollywood Reporter, Hurwitz and Schlossberg have received the green light to work on the next "Harold & Kumar" film as writers and directors. The duo is being joined by writer Josh Heald. Together, Heald, Hurwitz and Schlossberg created that smash hit "Karate Kid" spin-off series "Cobra Kai," which just wrapped its sixth and final season. Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg and Josh Heald, the creators behind worldwide Netflix sensation #CobraKai, have closed a deal to write a new installment of #HaroldAndKumar with John Cho and Kal Penn expected to return — The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 17, 2025 Both John Cho and Kal Penn are expected to return. At the moment, there is no word whether Neil Patrick Harris will return. "We're fired up to bring Harold and Kumar back in a return to the unapologetically R-rated, smoke-filled chaos that started it all," Hurwitz and Schlossberg said in a joint statement. "It's high time they puff and pass their wisdom onto a new generation. Just don't tell their kids." More Entertainment: 'Fantastic Four' Confirms Classic Villain Will Make MCU Debut There have been multiple attempts to revive the franchise in the past, with an attempted Adult Swim animated series in 2014 and both Cho and Penn often speaking about developing a fourth movie. "We would love to do a fourth movie. John Cho and I text about it all the time," Penn said, per Variety in 2020. "Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg — who created and wrote all three movies in the franchise — we all would love to do one. "I think we all, thankfully, have the blessing of being really busy right now and want to find the right venue and the right timing." Fortunately, it seems that the timing is finally right to put the bud back in buddy comedies. More Entertainment: Pixar Reveals New 'Toy Story 5' Villain Pirates of the Caribbean Producer Confirms Returning Cast Gerard Butler Says One Actor Should Return for 'How To Train Your Dragon 2' For more movie and entertainment news, head on over to Newsweek Entertainment.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Has Netflix Canceled Cobra Kai Season 7 or Renewed It?
Are you wondering if Netflix's hit Cobra Kai has been canceled or renewed for Season 7? With the recent conclusion of the highly anticipated sixth season, fans are eager to learn the future of the show. So, will Cobra Kai return with another installment or has the show ended? Here's everything you need to know about Cobra Kai Season 7's fate. Unfortunately, Cobra Kai will not be returning with any more installments. The showrunners have previously confirmed that Cobra Kai will end with Season 6, making it the final chapter of the hit series. Co-creator Jon Hurwitz confirmed this news on his X (formerly Twitter) account. He stated, 'Netflix didn't tell us it was the last season. We told them it was the last season. We've always wanted to end Cobra Kai on our own terms and we are grateful we have the opportunity to do so.' Cobra Kai Season 6 has been premiered in three parts. Each consisted of five episodes, culminating in a total of 15 episodes. They released the initial five episodes on July 18, 2024. Then scheduled Part 2 for release on November 15, 2024, and Part 3 on February 13, 2025. While Cobra Kai ends with Season 6, the legacy of The Karate Kid continues. The franchise expands further with Karate Kid: Legends, a new theatrical film set for release on May 30, 2025. This film will be the sixth installment in the Karate Kid series and will take place three years after the events of the final season of Cobra Kai. It will reunite Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso while also introducing a new character. Cobra Kai's cast members include Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Xolo Maridueña, Martin Kove, Mary Mouser, Tanner Buchanan, Courtney Henggeler, Jacob Bertrand, Gianni DeCenzo, Peyton List, Vanessa Rubio, Thomas Ian Griffith, Yuji Okumoto, Alicia Hannah-Kim, Dallas Dupree Young, and others. You can watch all the episodes of Cobra Kai Season 1-6 streaming now exclusively via Netflix. Originally reported by Ayesha Zafar on The post Has Netflix Canceled Cobra Kai Season 7 or Renewed It? appeared first on Mandatory.
