Sean Kanan of The Karate Kid Part III is reprising his role as Mike Barnes in Cobra Kai season five
In season five of Cobra Kai, Sean Kanan (Mike Barnes) returns from The Karate Kid: Part III. According to Vulture, the specifics of Kanan’s retaliation against Burnes are being withheld until the season premiere on September 9. Cobra Kai season five will also feature the return of Randee Heller and Yuji Okumoto as Lucille LaRusso (mother to Ralph Macchio’s Daniel) and Chozen Toguchi, respectively (the antagonist of The Karate Kid Part II). In The Karate Kid Part III, Kanan played the antagonist Barnes, who was disqualified from the All Valley tournament due to his poor sportsmanship. In the first season’s episode “All Valley,” Barnes is mentioned.
Critics weren’t particularly fond of The Karate Kid Part III, but it was Sean Kanan’s big break. The 55-year-old actor became a household name after starring in several daytime dramas. He revealed to Illuminate Magazine that he began training in martial arts at the age of 14. The actor is well known for his recurring role as Deacon Sharpe on both The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless. Besides his role as the alcoholic and troubled A.J. Quartermaine on General Hospital, brother to Steve Burton’s Jason Quartermaine/Morgan, he is also well-known for his work in other television shows.
Fans of the Karate Kid franchise have been given a real treat with Cobra Kai, as they have gotten to see their favorite legendary characters in their current forms. Not only could Kanan return to the franchise in Cobra Kai, but other familiar faces could as well. There have been rumors that Hilary Swank, a two-time Oscar winner, will make an appearance in the Cobra Kai movies. Swank’s first major role was as Julie Pierce in the 1994 film The Next Karate Kid. There has been no evidence supporting or refuting this.