Ralph Macchio reveals how different 'The Karate Kid' could have been, with alternate title and different star
Ralph Macchio, titular star of The Karate Kid, appeared Tuesday on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he cleared up some popular rumors related to the 1984 film, like the fact that he initially did not like the film's title.
“I thought, and I was not the only one who thought, it was kind of a hokey, kind of a cheesy title for a movie being directed by the guy who made Rocky,” Macchio told Fallon. “But maybe it was foreshadowing. Maybe I thought if I ever got the part I'd have to carry the damn thing for the rest of my life.”
However, the Cobra Kai star revealed that there was actually a worse title on the table.
“I think John Avildsen, our director, said maybe it's East Meets West in West?” Both Fallon and Macchio laughed at the proposed title, agreeing that it doesn't make sense.
Fortunately, East Meets West in West did not end up being the name of the film and, fortunately for Macchio, he was cast as Daniel LaRusso. Because on Tuesday, Macchio also confirmed there were some pretty big names circling the role as well like Nicolas Cage, Robert Downey Jr. and Charlie Sheen.
“I was found early. I was cast very early, but it was like one of those test deals where you're not in yet. And I remember walking by and seeing Charlie Sheen hanging outside,” shared Macchio, who went on to joke that seeing Sheen confused him because he doesn't look like “an Italian guy from Jersey.”
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. on NBC.
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