Fans of the 1984 classic, THE KARATE KID, might want to start digging through their closets for an official Daniel Larusso bandanna, or think about renting an skeleton outfit from their local costume shop, because Fathom Events and YouTube are teaming up to present a one-night cinema experience featuring the original Karate Kid film, coupled with an exclusive advance screening of the first two episodes from the new YouTube Red Original Series, COBRA KAI.
As per the event's official press release:
This special event screens in cinemas nationwide for one night on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. local time. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in nearly 700 select movie theaters. A complete list of theater locations is available on the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
Originally hitting theaters in 1984, “The Karate Kid" received critical acclaim as a heart-stopping yet endearing underdog story following the friendship of high schooler Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and his apartment maintenance man turned martial arts trainer Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), as Daniel prepares to take on arch-rival Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) in the All Valley Karate Tournament. Through Miyagi's teaching, Daniel learns important life lessons, overcomes adversity and ultimately faces his opponent in an epic match. An instant commercial success, the film spawned a franchise of memorabilia, three sequels, a television series, and a 2010 remake featuring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan.
In the highly-anticipated return of two iconic characters, the arch-rivals from the legendary “Karate Kid” film reunite in “Cobra Kai.” Now living in the affluent hills of Encino, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) leads an enviable life with his beautiful family, while running a successful string of car dealerships throughout the valley. Meanwhile, his high school adversary, Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), whose life has taken a rocky turn, seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai karate dojo. Their lives inevitably become intertwined and the rivalry is reignited, setting forth the next generation of “karate kids” in COBRA KAI a YouTube Red Original Series. “Cobra Kai” is produced by Overbrook Entertainment in association with Sony Pictures Television.
The YouTube Red Original series COBRA KAI will have its world debut at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 24 and will later launch to audiences around the world May 2nd on YouTube Red.
In talking up the newly-announced event, VP of Fathom Events programming Tom Lucas announced that "'The Karate Kid’ became an instant classic in the 1980s and continues to resonate with generations of film lovers across the country. We’re excited to partner with YouTube Red to give audiences an exclusive look into the reignited rivalry in ‘Cobra Kai,’ along with the original film and a cast panel discussion — all on the big screen.”
Tickets for the one-night-only will be made available for sale to the general public starting tomorrow, March 23rd. You can visit the Fathom Events website to gaurantee yourself a seat at the show.
Where do your allegiances lie in the battle of Good-vs-Evil between Mr. Miyagi's "violence solves nothing" approach to the legendary martial art and Johnny Lawrence's "show no mercy" methodology? Let us know in the comments section below, in addition to if you're excited about the upcoming Karate Kid event.
COBRA KAI is now set to go live on YouTube Red beginning on May 2nd.