Cobra Kai star Ralph Macchio says it's been "tough" continuing the Karate Kid story of Daniel LaRusso without the late Noriyuki "Pat" Morita, who was a mentor to him both off the set and on in the role of Mr. Miyagi.
Macchio told The Guardian, "That's been tough. There's a montage scene in series two in which I'm teaching a younger kid, just as Miyagi taught LaRusso, and that brought a real rush of emotion for me. Every time we shoot I hearken back to those early days of rehearsal with Pat."
Macchio remembered how Morita, who died in 2005, brought dignity to his work. "I know he took great pride in the role," Macchio continued. "You know, Karate Kid was the first Hollywood movie that dealt with the Japanese internment camps. Also, there's a scene in which a guy calls Miyagi a really derogatory name and makes fun of how he talks, and Miyagi [gets the better of him when he] breaks his beer bottles. So I think in that respect, the movie was ahead of the curve."
Starring William Zabka, Ralph Macchio, Courtney Henggeler, Xolo Maridueña, Mary Mouser, Tanner Buchanan and Martin Kove, the first two seasons of Cobra Kai will be released on Netflix Aug. 28.