Walton Gogginsis one of the biggest stars of the 2020s, but he missed an opportunity to return to a franchise that gave him an early role. Thanks to shows likeThe White LotusandFallout, Goggins has finally begun to hit the pinnacle of a career that actually started all the way back in the late 1980s.
Known for his one-of-a-kind persona and Southern drawl, Goggins is a rare breed of actor who has lived experiences that he brings to the parts he plays. Whether he’s a goofy televangelist onThe Righteous Gemstonesor a hardened criminal onJustified, Goggins is going to turn in a performance that immediately elevates him above the rest.
Because he’s been working in the industry for so long,Goggins has appeared in a ton of moviesand shows, and he’s no stranger to blockbuster franchises. With recognizable intellectual property all the rage in Hollywood, Goggins seems like a natural fit for a major movie franchise, but he missed his chance to return to his very first franchise role.
Walton Goggins Is Part Of The Karate Kid Universe
He Appeared In The Franchise’s First Failed Reboot
Though it is usually overlooked in favor of better films in the series,Walton Goggins actually had a role inThe Next Karate Kid.The 1994 reboot attempt saw Pat Morita return as Mr. Miyagi, but witha new student in the form of Hilary Swank’s Julie Pierce. Critics didn’t like the film, andit was a box office flop.
The Next Karate Kidonly grossed around $15 million against a $12 million budget, meaning it lost a considerable amount of money after additional costs are factored (viaBox Office Mojo).
WhileThe Next Karate Kidis more of a curiosity piece than anything else, it also happens to be Walton Goggin’s third film.He plays the minor role of Charlie, one of Colonel Dugan’s studentswho is training in martial arts alongside the rest of Alpha Elite. He only has a few lines, but Goggins is his usual intense self.
He only has a few lines, but Goggins is his usual intense self.
The part isn’t quite a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo, butCharlie is such a minor character that he would likely be forgotten if not for Goggins' starpower. It would, however, help kick off a string of years for Goggins in which he played minor but memorable roles in films likeThe ApostleandMajor League: Back to the Minors.
Cobra Kai Or Karate Kid Legends Could Have Brought Back Walton Goggins
The Entire Karate Kid Universe Is Connected
With such a big star in their pocket, the creatives behindthe ongoingKarate Kidfranchise really had a chance to surprise viewers by bringing Goggins back as Charlie. However, withThe Next Karate Kidbeing such a failure, it was largely overlooked. Even inKarate Kid: Legends, which aimed to unify the franchise,the reboot was completely ignored.
Cobra Kaifeatured a ton of cameos, and some were even quite obscure. Season 6 featured a return of the minor character, Bobby Brown, with Ron Thomas back in the role. Though Hilary Swank’s Julie still hasn’t returned, a Charlie cameo could have been a nice nod. Furthermore,Walton Goggins' popularity would have elevated either the show or the movie.
