25 fun facts about ‘Karate Kid’ to celebrate its 40th anniversary

Did you know that the director and composer of ‘Rocky’ are the same as those of ‘Rocky’?

Released in 1984, karate Kideither The Karate Kid as it is known internationally, influenced several generations of young people who, for themselves or their parents, signed up for classes in this martial art or something similar, such as judo. And if not, they surely have done the crane pose when climbing a pole as well.

A mythical film where there are those that have lasted until our times as well demonstrated by both the series Cobra Kaiwhich will soon air the first part of its final season, like the new film in which Ralph Macchio will be the teacher of a new karate prodigy alongside Jackie Chan.

as curiosities about ‘Karate Kid’

To celebrate your 40th anniversary And although unfortunately we cannot currently see it included in the catalogue of the numerous streaming platforms that operate in our country, here you have it JGH curiosities about karate Kid.

• He original title of the movie was going to be The Moment of Truth_or _The moment of truth in our language, before he decided on The Karate Kid, and in fact it still appears as a nickname in some publications.
• Ralph Macchio was 22 years old when he played Daniel LaRusso, although his character in the film was only 17 years old.
• Pat Moritaknown for his role in the television comedy Living It Up, was initially rejected for the role of Mr. Miyagi due to his past as a comedian. However, after several auditions, he proved to be the perfect choice and was nominated for an Oscar for his performance.
• Although Daniel LaRusso’s character learns karate in the film, Ralph Macchio had no previous experience in martial arts before starting production. She received specific training for fight scenes.
• The phrase “Give wax, polish wax” has become one of the most iconic quotes in cinema and is widely used in popular culture.

• The film was shot in various places in California, including Los Angeles and surrounding areas. The famous karate tournament scene was filmed at the North Hollywood stadium.
• The symbol of the red ribbon that Daniel wears on his head was improvised on the setIt became an iconic part of the character’s attire.
• The Crane Kickperformed by Daniel at the film’s climax, has become one of the most memorable fighting techniques in cinema, although it is not a typical karate technique.
• The Karate Kid gender several sequelsa animated television seriesa 2010 remake starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan and a follow-up series called Cobra Kaiwhose success has revitalized interest in the franchise and led to a new film starring Macchio and Jackie Chan.
• Many of the Mr. Miyagi’s most touching scenesincluding his philosophical lectures and sake toast in honor of his deceased wife, were improvised by Pat Morita.
• The screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen was inspired by his own experience learning martial arts after being victim of bullyingwhich served as the basis for Daniel LaRusso’s story.
• Elisabeth Shuewho played Ali Mills, Daniel’s girlfriend, took a break break from his studies at Harvard to participate in the film.
• Although Pat Morita was not a martial arts expertreceived karate training to look more convincing in his fight scenes and demonstrations.
• The car that Mr. Miyagi gives to Daniel, a 1947 Ford Super DeluxeIt was actually owned by Ralph MacchioThe studio let him keep it after filming.
• Director John G. Avildsen makes a brief cameo in the movie. He appears as the tournament announcer of karate.
• The scene of training on the beachwhere Mr. Miyagi teaches Daniel the crane kick, was filmed in the Leo Carrillo State Park in MalibuCalifornia.
• The song You’re the Best by Joe Esposito, which is heard during the karate tournament, was originally written for Rocky IIIbut was rejected in favor of Eye of the Tiger from Survivor.
• Pat E. Johnson, the choreographer of the fight scenes has a cameo as the referee of the karate tournament.
• The Karate Kid popularized karate in the United States and helped increase interest in martial arts among young people.
• His box office success was a surprisegrossing over $90 million worldwide on a budget of approximately $8 million.
• Martin Kove, who played the ruthless sensei John Kreese was actually a very kind man and affectionate off-screen, in contrast to his character.
• The name of Mr. Miyagi’s character It was taken from the karate master Chōjun Miyagiwho founded the Goju-ryu karate style in Okinawa, Japan.
• In the scene where Mr. Miyagi catches a fly with chopsticksa fake fly was used in a thread to achieve the desired effect.
• Director John G. Avildsen, who also directed Rockyused many of the same topics of personal improvement and training than in his previous film to inspire the characters of The Karate Kid.
• Bill Conti, who composed the music for Rockyalso composed the soundtrack for The Karate Kidcreating an additional connection between Avildsen’s two films.

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