One of the best part ofCobra Kai time of year fouris the introduction and journeying of a new character discover Kenny . Kenny is played by actor Dallas Dupree Young , who previously appeared in films like Ready Player One and shows like The Fosters . Here though , he becomes arguably themost crucial character in the entire time of year .
Kenny is such an crucial character , in fact , that his introductory episode , “ First Learn Stand , ” is a near beat - by - musical rhythm retelling ofthe original Karate Kidwith Kenny in the Daniel theatrical role . So do to say , he becomes a majorly important character reference to the show ! When the chance come to ask the immature histrion a few interrogative sentence over email , we had to oblige — although be warned , for those who ’ve not finished the time of year just yet , later on we delve into some spoilery territory .
Germain Lussier , io9 : How did you first find out about this role ?
Dallas Dupree Young as Kenny on Cobra Kai.Image: Netflix
Dallas Dupree Young : I first heard about the part of Kenny through an tryout that I received from my handler . I had never watched the show or realized the level of popularity this series had clear since moving to Netflix . However , I recollect this would be a great prospect to be a part of a task that could help me grow as an actor . At the time , though , I was a part of another television receiver series and thought date might contravene with Cobra Kai . Thing puzzle out out and I ’m very glad my squad and I took an authoritative risk that in the end exchange my life .
io9 : Were you a rooter of Cobra Kai and or The Karate Kid in general before you beget the job ? If so , how did you rule it , and if not , what did you think once you watch over the show and or the movies ?
untried : At a very young age I had a love for the Karate Kid franchise . Before I was even interested in acting , I was a karate student working on improving my crane kick . I found the movie because my parent and my sensei further me to analyze the techniques of all the students in the movie . When I found out I was a finalist for the role of Kenny , I immediately binge watched the whole show ! I terminate up fall in love with the series and the show instantly became my favourite .
Kenny’s bullying is brutal.Image: Netflix
io9 : What were your conversations withJon Hurwitz , Hayden Schlossberg , and Josh Healdlike once you got the role — was everything already in place for Kenny , or did you have stimulant ?
Young : My conversation with Jon , Josh , and Hayden were always exciting . During our first merging together , the guy cable explained their creative imagination for the fiber and how they wanted him to keep growing and elevating as a student and impactful character throughout the season . I was immediately invested in Kenny at that point . And to answer your other question – honestly both . The flight of the character ’s story discharge was already coif in motion , but the creators gave me the exemption to make the character my own at any sentence . It made fiddle Kenny that much more thrilling .
io9 : Your first sequence , sequence two , is basically just a retelling of The Karate Kid , except you ’re Daniel LaRusso . How open was it made to you going in that Kenny would be introduced like this , and what was it like filming such a unmediated homage ?
Kenny’s bullying is brutal.Image: Netflix
Young : The retelling of The Karate Kid in episode two was made open to me at the beginning of filming for the episode . In the playscript , the action lines in reality state that Kenny ’s life-style has many law of similarity with Daniel ’s life style . Filming such a direct homage was really exciting because it was an honor to know that the movie maker had so much trustingness in my power to fill such vast shoes .
io9 : You palpate so defective for Kenny early in the season , as he ’s being cyber bullied . What did you draw on to make him sympathetic ?
Young : To make the audience feel sympathy for my character , I leaned towards the more self - conscious and timid expression of Kenny at the beginning . I wanted to build a foundation for a strong arc throughout the time of year . I also tie on the unbelievable performance from Jacob Bertrand and Xolo Maridueña in time of year one , because their characters went through the same deleterious situation as Kenny .
Daniel’s son Anthony, right, is Kenny’s main rival.Image: Netflix
io9 : Your main contender all time of year is Anthony LaRusso , played by Griffin Santopietro . What was your off screen kinship like with Griffin ? Were you admirer ? What was it like fighting with him ?
vernal : Griffin and I became really good friends during our sentence together on hardening . gratefully , we stay at the same hotel , so we had the opportunity to hang out often , play video games , and even do our scenes together . We had such a fun time while fighting each other as well , particularly during our final battle in episode 10 . We always strive to occur up with originative agency to make the scene more interesting and more meaningful .
io9 : Over the grade of season four , Kenny prove himself and becomes a member of Cobra Kai . What did you think of this conclusion ? Would you have made the same decisions ?
Kreese and Silver help mold Kenny into the badass he becomes.Image: Netflix
Young : I thought the decision to make Kenny fall in Cobra Kai was an splendid option by the film producer . The mode they connected Shawn and Kenny ’s storyline together was the thoroughgoing congeal up for the offset of Robby and Kenny ’s kinship . For me personally , I would ’ve made the same decisions because this pass on my character a reason for joining a dojo in the first place .
io9 : What was your time on set like with Tanner Buchanan ? Did you originate a standardised mentor / mentee human relationship like the one you share on the show ?
Young : Oh yes ! solve with Tanner has help me grow as a mortal , an actor , and a martial artist . We did have a mentor / mentee relationship from the very beginning . I remember on my first unofficial day on solidification for training , Tanner was the first someone to greet me at the stages . He took the time out of his in use schedule to welcome me into the Cobra Kai family and show me the ropes . Joining a tight - knit cast of characters like the Cobra Kai cast can be a short scary , so I ’ll never leave this kind motion from Tanner because he made me feel more well-to-do each and every day on set .
Dallas Dupress Young is heading to Cobra Kai season 5.Photo: Jonny Marlow
io9 : Karate Kid fan are terrified of John Kresse and Terry Silver , so what was it like working with the actual thespian , Martin [ Kove ] and Thomas [ Ian Griffith ] ? Are they as intimidating in veridical living ?
Young : Before I introduced myself , I was really intimidated by Martin and Thomas , but process with them actually gave me a Modern perspective on life in general and karate . thespian are really not as scary as people might think ! Once you get to know them , you realize that they are the skillful , knowledgeable , and most humorous people on set . The sensei ’s can have a few similarities , but neither one of them are as maniacal nor as cynical as their characters .
io9 : You do n’t get to work a lot of Ralph Macchio and William Zabka , but view they ’re also producer , what are they like on exercise set ?
Young : Yes , although I did n’t get to knead with Ralph and William often , their personality always shined bright on Seth . They welcomed me with opened arms , and I have had meaningful conversations with both of them . It ’s really awesome to see how passionate they are about the show .
io9 : Kenny does extremely well in the All Valley tournament . Were you surprised at that development for him ? What was it like shooting those tournament picture ?
Young : I was definitely impressed and surprised at how well he was doing in the All - Valley because Kenny had only started branching out of his shell pretty late . Filming those scenes was very nerve wracking and exhilarate at the same sentence . I wanted to ensure that I memorized all of the stage dancing and my furrow , so I put a lot of pressure sensation on myself . As presently as the workplace was fill in , I felt really confident about the effort I put into the performances .
io9 : plain you ca n’t spoil anything but Jon , Josh , and Hayden just revealed they enclose time of year five . What can you tell us about Kenny ’s journeying head into the next season ?
Young : I ’m going to keep this answer vague , but I am in time of year five . What I can say about Kenny is that his arc continues to grow from time of year four and that he learns more and more about his inner speciality .
Cobra Kai time of year four is now on Netflix . Season five just finished filming .
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