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Karate Kid: Legends confirmed that Johnny Lawrence appears at the end of the film. The sequence showed Johnny with Daniel LaRusso after a pizza delivery from New York, sent with thanks by Li Fong. The following conversation between Johnny and Daniel included a suggestion of a Miyagi-themed pizzeria. This connected the film to the Cobra Kai storyline while also leaving future options open.
William Zabka plays Johnny Lawrence in the scene. Jonathan Entwistle directed the film, with Ralph Macchio returning as Daniel LaRusso and Jackie Chan returning as Mr. Han.
In an interview with the New York Post on May 30, 2025, Entwistle said the cameo was always planned and mixed scripted and improvised dialogue. The sequence took place after Li Fong won the Five Boroughs Tournament and before the full credits. The location was a rebuilt version of Mr. Miyagi’s house, since the original set no longer existed.
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Karate Kid: Legends cameo explained
The cameo came after Li Fong defeated Conor Day in the Five Boroughs Tournament using the “Tiger Trap” technique taught by Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso. Despite Conor attacking him from behind, Li showed restraint, reflecting the values of his training. After the tournament, Daniel returned to Los Angeles while Mr. Han departed for Beijing, leaving space for their possible return.
The film then showed Daniel at Miyagi’s old dojo in California. He received a pizza sent from New York as a gesture of thanks from Li. At that moment, Johnny Lawrence appeared. Johnny joked about starting a “Miyagi-Dough” pizzeria, tying humor with franchise history. Director Jonathan Entwistle confirmed in the New York Post interview that the moment was partly improvised.
“It was a little bit of both,” he confirmed when asked if Johnny’s pizza riff was scripted or improvised.
Karate Kid: Legends and Cobra Kai connection
The scene affirmed that Karate Kid: Legends aligned with the events of Cobra Kai. Johnny’s presence indicated that the new film existed within the same continuity as the series. Ralph Macchio told Variety on November 19, 2024, that Legends took place three years after Cobra Kai ended. This positioned Johnny and Daniel’s friendship as a natural continuation of the series.
Entwistle also explained to Screen Rant on May 29, 2025, that the cameo was filmed secretly at the recreated Miyagi house. He said they hid Zabka until the shoot began to preserve the surprise. Macchio added at the New York premiere that working with Zabka again was important, calling him “a brother man” and noting how their on-screen bond reflected their friendship off-screen.
The appearance showed Daniel and Johnny together as allies, building on Cobra Kai’s conclusion. Their exchange over pizza highlighted their transition from rivals to friends, linking multiple generations of the Karate Kid franchise under the theme “two branches, one tree.”
