‘Cobra Kai’: This Scene-Stealer Wants to Return to ‘The Karate Kid’ Show
When it comes to Cobra Kai, fans are often preoccupied with which elements of The Karate Kid series could pop up on the show. For instance, the showrunners have confirmed The Next Karate Kid — which stars future two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank — is canon. But what about the characters fans only met on the Netflix hit? Now one of Cobra Kai‘s former cast members said he’s ready to come back to the show soon.
‘Cobra Kai’ Season 3 left a few supporting actors behind
The first two seasons of Cobra Kai re-introduced fans of The Karate Kid to both Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio). And though their rivalry is at the heart of the series, the show also revived several other characters, including Martin Kove as longtime villain John Kreese. However, the series isn’t fueled solely by nostalgia, as it brings a new generation of martial arts students to the forefront.
Miguel (Xolo Maridueña), Sam (Mary Mouser), and Robby (Tanner Buchanan) are the main focus of the new characters. But they’re accompanied by many other friends and foes. Alas, some supporting players on Cobra Kai didn’t return for season 3, such as Nichole Brown as Aisha. But she wasn’t the only one to sit out the most recent batch of episodes. So too did Paul Walter Hauser, whose character Stingray debuted in season 2.
‘Cruella’ star Paul Walter Hauser wants to bring Stingray back
In the past few years, Hauser has been popping up everywhere. But particularly, his movie career has been steadily gaining traction. The actor delivered a standout supporting turn in I, Tonya, played the title character in Clint Eastwood’s Richard Jewell, and currently stars opposite Emma Stone in Disney’s Cruella. Recently, Hauser told The Hollywood Reporter he’s now hoping Stingray can make a grand return to Cobra Kai.
“I hope [I get to come back]. I love that show. Those guys hit me up all the time to check on me,” the actor told THR. “They’re very sweet, and they want to know what I’m up to and how I’m doing. But there are so many characters in the Cobra Kai universe that I never want to take precious screen time away from those main characters. So if they have a way to plug me in in the future, I’m all for it. I’m just waiting on the phone call.”
Will ‘Cobra Kai’ Season 4 even have room for Stingray?
To Hauser’s point, the Netflix show does have a growing ensemble cast to service. But Stingray did bring a fun, surprising energy as the oldest student of the Cobra Kai dojo. And with The Karate Kid Part III villain Terry Silver officially coming to bring the pain to Johnny and Daniel, the former rivals might need all the help they can get. Perhaps they’ll recruit Stingray, who proved he can be quite effective in a fight.
Then again, even if Stingray does return, there’s no telling whose side he’ll be on. Cobra Kai Season 3 revealed he got arrested for the school-wide brawl in the season 2 finale. The character could easily blame Johnny for not coming to help him and side with Cobra Kai over his former sensei. It’s unclear whether there’s still time for Hauser to pop up — even in a cameo — in season 4. But it would be fun to see him at Silver’s side.
