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Random Trivia For This Title: - The referee in the final match is Pat E. Johnson, a karate expert and former student of [?] Chuck Norris. He instructed many movie stars in karate.
- Martin Kove, who played the John Kreese character, was rumored to have replaced [?] Chuck Norris, who allegedly turned down the role of Kreese because he didn't want karate trainers to be shown in an unsympathetic light. Norris has since said he was never offered the role but that if he had been, he would've declined for similar reasons.
- The Karate Kid was the name of a character in DC Comic's [Legion Of Superheroes] who was a member of the Legion. DC Comics, which owned the name, gave special permission for the title to be used. There's a thank you to DC Comics for allowing the use of the name at the end of the credits.
- Elisabeth Shue interrupted her studies at Harvard to be in this movie.
- Pat Morita was initially turned-down for the role of Mr. Miyagi because there was a "no comedian" policy when looking for an actor. He was later given the role because he was best for it after reading.
- William Zabka (Johnny) had no martial arts experience prior to being cast in the film. However, he was an accomplished wrestler.
- The yellow classic automobile that Daniel polishes in the famous "wax-on/wax-off" training scene, then later offered by Mr. Miyagi as Daniel's birthday gift, was actually given to Ralph Macchio by the producer, and he still owns it.
- According to [?] Joe Esposito, {You're the Best} was originally written for Rocky III which explains the lyric "History repeats itself". The song had been rejected in favor of Survivor's {Eye of the Tiger}.
- According to Martin Kove in the DVD Documentary, he had gotten a call from John G. Avildsen stating that they wanted him to audition for Kreese but was then told to wait. Kove wanted the role so much that he turned down other prospects in order to get this part. But when the "waiting" dragged out for a few weeks, Kove became annoyed as he kept turning down parts. Finally when Avildsen called Kove in to audition, Kove was so annoyed at Avildsen that he berated the director and channeled his anger into an intense audition. Ultimately, that intensity got him the role.
- During the scene where Mr. Miyagi is drunk and celebrating an "anniversary," he reveals that he served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team of the United States Army, an Asian American unit composed of mostly Japanese Americans who fought in Europe during the Second World War.
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