Mr. Miyagi Casting
Shockingly, Pat Morita was a relatively late addition to the original Karate Kid. Macchio notes in his book and in subsequent interviews that everyone initially hoped Toshiri Mifune, whose 16-film collaboation with Akira Kurosawa included The Seven Samurai, Rashoman, and Hidden Fortress, would play Miyagi. Morita, a one-time comedian who was best known from Happy Days at the time, ended up charming his way into the role. Here are Pat Morita and Ralph Machhio’s auditions.
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Main image: Elisabeth Shue, Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio in The Karate Kid.
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