YOUTUBE GREENLIGHTS SECOND SEASON OF CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED, FAN FAVORITE
COBRA KAI
Ralph Macchio and William Zabka To Return In Popular Series
From Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg
Season Two of the Sony Pictures Television Hit Series
to Debut on YouTube Red in 2019
Los Angeles, CA -- May 10, 2018
-- YouTube announced that it has ordered a second season of the
wildly-popular and critically-acclaimed
hit series COBRA KAI from Sony Pictures Television and Overbrook
Entertainment. Since its debut on May 4, the first episode of COBRA KAI
has generated over 20 million views. Series stars
Ralph Macchio and William Zabka
are set to return for a second season. The 10-episode, half-hour series
will begin production this fall and debut on YouTube Red in 2019.
In COBRA KAI,
Ralph Macchio and William Zabka revisit their star-making roles from the iconic film franchise,
The Karate Kid. The epic
adversaries return to the dojo, thirty years after the events of the
1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. A down-and-out Johnny Lawrence
(Zabka) seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai
karate dojo, reigniting his rivalry with a now successful Daniel
LaRusso (Macchio), who has been struggling to maintain balance in his
life without the guidance of his mentor, Mr. Miyagi. The cast of series
regulars, all returning for a second season, include
Xolo Mariduena as “Miguel Diaz” Tanner Buchanan as “Robby Keene,”
Mary Mouser as“Samantha LaRusso” and Courtney Henggeler as “Amanda LaRusso.”
COBRA
KAI is written and executive produced by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and
Hayden Schlossberg. Heald is the writer behind the cult classic
Hot Tub Time Machine franchise, while Hurwitz & Schlossberg created the successful
Harold & Kumar film series, and wrote and directed the global hit American Reunion. Most recently, Hurwitz & Schlossberg produced the critically-lauded film
Blockers for Universal Pictures. Together, Heald, Hurwitz, and Schlossberg conceived of this new
Karate Kid storyline that picks-up decades after the original
film ends. The showrunning trio directed much of season one and will do
the same in season two. James Lassiter and Caleeb Pinkett will again
executive produce for Overbrook Entertainment in
association with Sony Pictures Television Studios.
“This
series had all of the right elements from the very beginning --
compelling characters, a storied rivalry, and the talented
original stars,” said Susanne Daniels, Global Head of Original Content,
YouTube. “The way viewers have embraced the new twist on this beloved
franchise has been nothing short of amazing, and we’re thrilled to
partner with Sony TV, Overbrook and the extraordinary
creative team led by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg to create a second season.”
“We
are so elated with the performance of Cobra Kai and our incredible
partnerships with Josh, Jon, Hayden and
Overbrook and of course, You Tube Red. This has been a remarkable
experience and the audience reaction only further validates what we
already knew – that this team and series is exceptional and incredibly
special,’ said Jeff Frost, President Sony Pictures
Television.
“Continuing the
Karate Kid saga with YouTube Red has been a dream come true,"
said Heald, Hurwitz, and Schlossberg. "We are grateful to all our
creative partners for giving us the freedom to revisit and expand the
LaRusso/Lawrence rivalry. And we are truly exhilarated
by the tidal wave of support from fans of this story, both old and
new.”
With over $619 million at the worldwide box office,
The Karate Kid franchise has entertained millions of fans for
over 3 generations. For years, YouTube fans from around the world have
also kept the legend of the films alive through uploads of clips,
tributes and related content, amassing over 1 billion
views to date.
Macchio
is represented by Untitled, Buchwald and Hanson, Jacobsen, Teller.
Zabka is managed by Gary Ousdahl at Advanced Management and Eric Feig,
Feig Law. Overbrook Entertainment is represented by CAA. Hurwitz and
Schlossberg are represented by CAA and attorney Adam Kaller at Hansen,
Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller &
Gellman L.L.P. Heald is represented by Paradigm
Talent Agency and attorney Howard Abramson.
YouTube
Red is a paid membership that gives you access to YouTube Red Original
Movies and Series. In addition, you get a premium
music service and an uninterrupted experience across YouTube, YouTube
Gaming and
YouTube Kids. YouTube Red is currently available in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Korea.
About YouTube
Launched
in May 2005, YouTube allows billions of people to discover, watch and
share originally-created videos. YouTube provides a forum for people
to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a
distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers
large and small. YouTube is a Google company.
About Sony Pictures Television
Sony
Pictures Television (SPT) is one of the television industry’s leading
content providers, producing and distributing programming
worldwide in every genre and for every platform. In addition to
managing one of the industry’s largest libraries of award-winning
feature films, television shows and formats, SPT is home to a thriving
US production business and operates 18 wholly-owned or
joint venture production companies in 12 countries around the world.
Sony Pictures Television is a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company.
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