Cobra Kai took a darkish flip over the last episode of Season 6 Half 2 throughout a bloody battle royal between the members on the Sekai Taikai. After the event broke down, it was an all-out brawl with all of the dojos combating one another. Within the midst of the chaos, Kwon Jae-Sung (Brandon H. Lee) went after Sam LaRusso (Mary Mouser). Patrick Luwis’ Axel Kovačević, who had beforehand bonded with Sam on the seaside, stepped in to assist her.
Kwon tried to make use of John Kreese’s (Martin Kove) eunjangdo blade on Axel and misplaced his steadiness impaling himself with it. The surprising scene units the stage for what is certain to be an emotional Half 3 of the ultimate season. Earlier than that, we sat down with Luwis to speak about Axel’s evolution and the way Kwon’s loss of life impacts the ultimate stretch of the present.
You have been such a pivotal a part of the final episode of Half 2 this season. What was your response if you examine Axel’s connection to Kwon’s loss of life of their struggle scene?
Patrick Luwis: I initially solely received the primary two scripts. Then, I simply heard folks speculating that was the end result, that I’d be concerned in Kwon’s loss of life, and there can be this large brawl sequence. It wasn’t formally instructed to me by the creators but. I feel once I first learn it I believed, “It is a fairly thrilling factor to be part of.” The present has had brawl sequences earlier than, however I don’t assume it has been something like what’s in Season 6, Half 2. Simply with all of the completely different characters and storylines coming into play. Additionally, to seek out out I’d be concerned in a personality’s loss of life was daunting when it comes to excited about how the followers have been going to react as a result of I do know Kwon was such a beloved character. So, I knew there can be a little bit little bit of controversy or folks being upset. I feel it actually added this thrilling ingredient to that half. It was an important cliffhanger to finish on, so in plenty of methods, I used to be tremendous excited. I used to be wanting ahead to seeing how it could unfold with the stunts and the blocking. I used to be happy the way it turned out.
Cobra Kai. Patrick Luwis as Axel in Cobra Kai. Cr. Curtis Bonds Baker/Netflix © 2024
What number of followers have blamed Axel for Kwon’s loss of life?
It was fairly combined. I attempt to not learn too many issues on the web, however each every so often I’ll take a peak. I feel there are individuals who defend the Axel character and say, “Kwon did it to himself.” I feel that’s true in plenty of regards. Additionally, there are people who find themselves naturally upset they misplaced a personality they like. So, they’ll pin it on my character. Axel actually was simply defending himself, however I’ve seen a combined response. None of which hassle me. It’s good it stirs up debate among the many fandom.
How a lot of a Karate Child fan have been you earlier than you signed on for the present?
I used to be conscious of the Karate Child and watched the movie a very long time in the past, however I kind of did a giant re-watch of Cobra Kai and Karate Child simply to get within the mindset. I feel I’ve a newfound love for it and completely get why the preliminary film was a part of so many individuals’s lives. It spans generations. I really feel fortunate to be a part of the legacy and a part of the story in some regard. It’s very thrilling.
I feel followers have loved seeing completely different sides to a personality like Axel. How was it displaying that depth?
I do assume lots of people together with myself loved the very fact he’s not this one-dimensional villain. He’s virtually not a villain. You don’t know what to make of him. On the mat, he’s this beast karate machine, which was how the character was described to me. You need to have a look at him as a villain in plenty of methods, however there’s additionally a lot he has gone by along with his Sensei and also you see the interplay he has with Sam.
That brings out some vulnerability. I feel you may’t assist however really feel for him. It’s a extremely enjoyable character to play. For me, it’s enjoying two completely different folks in the case of combating on the mat after which seeing how Axel is with Sam on the seaside. I actually loved enjoying each. The combating stuff and being the karate machine was tougher for me. That was a international factor for me. I hadn’t carried out martial arts. So having to return off very intimidating once I’m surrounded by all these individuals who had been educated in martial arts for years. That was a troublesome factor to consider myself and get into that mindset. The vulnerability I may lean into simpler with scenes with Sensei Wolf and with Sam.
Cobra Kai. (L to R) Patrick Luwis as Axel, Thomas Ian Griffith as Terry Silver, Rayna Vallandingham as Zara, Lewis Tan as Sensei Wolf in Cobra Kai. Cr. Curtis Bonds Baker/Netflix © 2024
What did you are taking from working with Lewis Tan and others who’ve been within the enterprise some time?
I feel plenty of it you be taught by instance. It’s a grasp class in of itself simply being on set and watching how they work. Whenever you work with somebody good, I feel it sharpens you as an actor to have the ability to work with somebody like Lewis. Somebody who is that this intimidating determine, the character is intimidating. I feel it actually helps fall into character much more simply than working with somebody who can’t get to that stage. The identical factor with the remainder of the solid. When it’s a must to match a sure vitality and talent, I feel it brings out the most effective in you as an actor. I felt fortunate to work with everybody and be taught by working with them.
Axel develops a liking for Sam the place you see him develop into a little bit protecting over her, which actually confirmed in that final struggle scene. Although Sam is with Miguel (Xolo Maridueña), do you selfishly need to see Axel find yourself along with her ultimately?
As an actor, I used to be actually fairly open to it both means. For the sake of the story and entirety of the present, you don’t actually need to break up this huge couple. I didn’t need to be the divide in that. I feel it’s nonetheless it’s a tremendous aspect storyline and makes issues extra attention-grabbing. I feel it provides one other ingredient and approach to perceive Axel higher by the friendship with Sam. You additionally get to see it performs into the story. All that with Kwon occurred as a result of I used to be defending her. I’m proud of the path they took the character.
How will Kwon’s loss of life affect the group going into the ultimate episodes? Axel particularly went by a reasonably traumatic expertise.
I don’t need to give away an excessive amount of, however I feel it’s a reasonably intense factor to occur. It’s the primary actual younger character loss of life like this within the present. It’s a giant factor that can have a ripple impact for positive. I feel when it comes to my character, you may anticipate plenty of development from Axel. I feel that’s what lots of people need. They need to see him develop and are available into who he realizes about himself.
What was that final day on set like for you? So most of the solid had been there for thus lengthy. What was the vibe you bought?
It’s all the time a mixture. I’d solely been there for a few months, however for the others, it was this enormous a part of their lives for thus lengthy. Lots of people have grown up on the present. It’s like a giant household. I do know plenty of them have been excited to maneuver on and graduating into new tasks and testing themselves in new methods, however there was this virtually void you are feeling everytime you depart a present. For somebody like me, you continue to get shut to those folks and develop relationships. It’s not simple to half with folks you’ve shared this expertise with and created these recollections. I nonetheless miss it.
Cobra Kai. (L to R) Patrick Luwis as Axel, Lewis Tan as Sensei Wolf in Cobra Kai. Cr. Curtis Bonds Baker/Netflix © 2024
If there was a continuation of this story with Axel in it, the place would you need to see it go?
I’d be stoked if there was a by-product. It could be very cool to see a narrative concerning the Iron Dragons and the place they find yourself. Possibly even a prequel-type factor. I’m unsure what the creators take into account or brainstorming proper now. I’d be very open to it. I liked working with Josh Heald and Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg. I’d be tremendous excited to work with them once more and discover the character additional. I’d wish to know extra concerning the Iron Dragons.
You’ve labored with Zack Snyder on Insurgent Moon. You had little spots within the Barbie film and Babylon and issues like that. How a lot of a life-changer was this Cobra Kai position as you proceed to make a reputation for your self?
This was positively the very first thing I’ve actually felt if persons are going to know me for one thing, it could be this present. That’s thrilling for me. This position actually challenged me as an actor. The thought of constant to problem myself. I simply need to hold working and work with individuals who encourage me. Whether or not it’s a comedic position or drama or one other position doing stunts. I’ve received a few issues within the can. I used to be a part of this Apple TV+ present referred to as Rambler & the Birdie Machine with Owen Wilson. I’ve a small half on this impartial movie referred to as The Upside Of Unrequited popping out this 12 months as effectively. I’m wanting ahead to leaping on the following factor from no matter alternative presents itself.
Cobra Kai Season 6 Half 3 premiere, February 13, Netflix