One of the most acclaimed series on YouTube Premium's original, scripted programming is Cobra Kai, a continuation of the iconic Karate Kid franchise from the '80s. Featuring the return of William Zabka and Ralph Macchio as Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso, respectively, the show follows the two lifelong rivals' continuing story. By Season 2, both had opened competing martial arts schools as they dealt with middle age, parenthood and the unresolved conflict between them.

Having officially been renewed for a third season, the cast and creators of the online series appeared on a spotlight panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego to discuss behind-the-scenes stories, talk about their characters, and tease plot developments for the upcoming third season. Along with Macchio and Zabka, the panel also featured actors Martin Kove -- who portrayed Johnny's cruel mentor Kreese in the original and third film in the franchise -- Mary Mouser, Zolo Maridueña and Tanner Buchanan. The cast was also joined by executive producers and writers Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg and Josh Heald, who also serve as the series' showrunners.

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Zabka referred to the return of the original 1984 film's Cobra Kai gang as his personal favorite moment from Season 2, also citing the climactic showdown between Johnny and Daniel in Johnny's apartment in the season finale, with Macchio observing that Zabka was clearly the more powerful fighter as revealed during rehearsals for the sequence. The big mass fight scene in the finale, following several simultaneous bouts presented as though they were filmed in a single, continuous take, was similarly highlighted by the cast and crew.

Mouser revealed that the entire sequence was actually filmed over the course of two days, with the cast training extensively to ensure the complicated fight scene unfolded without any serious setbacks. The showrunners were inspired by classic, single-take fight sequences, but had the Steadi-Cam move through the action to focus on different actors to help make the filming more feasible. And while the fight was designed to come off as an unbroken sequence, there were actually four cuts in filming hidden within the ambitious action sequence.

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As talk turned towards where the series would progress for its third season, the cast and crew became more coy about details. The showrunners did indicate that Daniel will return to Okinawa, the primary setting for The Karate Kid Part II. However, when a fan asked if the series would feature the return of Ali Mills Schwarber, the ex-girlfriend of Daniel and Johnny from the original film portrayed by Elisabeth Shue, Macchio and the showrunners became increasingly elusive in their answers, despite a strong allusion to the character in the finale.

Maridueña, whose character Miguel suffers a grievous accident in the finale, did state that Miguel likely would not hold his mentor Johnny responsible for the injury incurred in the mass fight sequence at the hands of Robby.

Kove said that as far as he's concerned, the bar on quality in regards to audience expectations had been significantly raised since the original trilogy. The veteran actor is pleased at how the cast and crew elevated the source material for the revival series, especially in regards to the nuanced portrayal of its main characters.

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After the showrunners confirmed that the events of the Hillary Swank continuation The Next Karate Kid were canon within Cobra Kai's universe, the panel ended with a reminder that the first season will be free to stream on YouTube (with ads) starting August 29, followed by the second season on September 11.

Starring William Zabka, Ralph Macchio, Courtney Henggeler, Xolo Maridueña, Mary Mouser, Tanner Buchanan and Martin Kove, Cobra Kai is currently available on YouTube Premium.