Sing Street star Mark McKenna isn’t singing these days… Point in fact he’s punching people in the face and bashing skulls at his own accord and all in the name of in-your-face f*ckitude with the new YouTube Red series, Wayne, from creator Shawn Simmons and Endeavor Content.
“This series had all of the right elements from the very beginning — compelling characters, a storied rivalry, and the talented original stars,” said Susanne Daniels, global head of original content at YouTube. “The way viewers have embraced the new twist on this beloved franchise has been nothing short of amazing, and we’re thrilled to partner with Sony TV, Overbrook and the extraordinary creative team led by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg to create a second season.”
The wait is officially over for YouTube Red subscribers who’ve been waiting for the premiere of Sony TV’s Karate Kid sequel series, Cobra Kai. The first two episodes are now available and serve as a delightful, high-energy invitation to explore the follow-up story that otherwise re-energizes the fanfare in a tasteful, fun fashion with actor William Zabka leading the charge this time opposite Ralph Macchio.
Tickets are now available at www.FathomEvents.com!
In the highly-anticipated return of two iconic characters, the arch-rivals from the legendary Karate Kid film series reunite over 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. Now living in the affluent hills of Encino, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) leads an enviable life with his beautiful family, while running a successful string of car dealerships throughout the valley. Meanwhile, his high school adversary, Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), whose life has taken a rocky turn, seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai karate dojo. Their lives inevitably become intertwined and the rivalry is reignited, setting forth the next generation of “karate kids” in COBRA KAI, a YouTube Red Original Series. COBRA KAI is produced by Overbrook Entertainment in association with Sony Pictures Television.
YouTube Red will have its way with netizens later this year upon the premiere of The Karate Kid series, Cobra Kai. The sequel to the classic underdog fight drama now has a teaser online introducing a narrative centric to that of Johnny (William Zabka), stoic and struggling amid his search for heuristic redemption thirty-four years after the All Valley Karate Tournament upon losing to a now happily-married and successful Daniel (Ralph Macchio).
The film also became Academy and Golden Globe nominated and spawned three sequels – one which cast actress Hillary Swank as the lead – as well as a reboot in 2010 with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan headlining.
Newly launched SVoD service YouTube Red is bringing Jumper to the small screen. For this, we turn to brewing developments of the new sci-action drama series, Impulse, based on the third book in Steven Gould’s Jumper novel series as YouTube Red looks to ramp up its line of programming, including sci-fi drama Lifeline from producer by Dwayne Johnson and Studio71, gaming comedy Good Game from producer Dan Harmon, and a Step Up reboot.
Impulse will have its 2018 premiere on YouTube Red ahead of a series order with The Wall and Edge Of Tomorrow (a.k.a. Live.Die.Repeat.) helmer Doug Liman directing and executive producing. The hour long gender-bending pilot from Universal Cable Productions and studio-based Hypnotic is the first UCP series for YouTube, telling of Henry, a rebellious 16-year-old girl whose oddball standing from her peers often leaves her longing to venture away from her small town life. She eventually discovers she has the extraordinary ability to teleport.
Maddie Hasson leads the cast from a script by Jeffrey Lieber (Lost, NCIS: New Orleans), Jason Horwitch (Marvel’s Luke Cage), and Gary Spinelli from a story by Lieber, and with Missi Pyle, Sarah Desjardins, Enuka Okuma and Craig Arnold and David James Elliott starring.
“This unique thriller pulled us in right from the opening scene,” said Susanne Daniels, Global Head of Original Content, YouTube. “We are thrilled to be in business with Doug Liman and everyone at UCP and Hypnotic.”
“We are very excited to be working with Susanne, YouTube and Hypnotic on Impulse,” said Jeff Wachtel, Chief Content Officer, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, and President, UCP. “It’s always fun to start work on a new series, especially when it’s with a partner like YouTube that is continually breaking new ground.”
The show also adds to UCP and Hypnotic’s raft of projects including George R.R. Martin’s Nightflyers which has a series order at Syfy with a writer’s room being setup for the show.
Liman is also on deck to direct Edge Of Tomorrow sequel, Live Die Repeat And Repeat as well as YA novel adaptation, Chaos Walking. His latest crime drama, American Made, opens on September 29. (Deadline)
