The Karate Kid, a 1984 classic film, has remained a cornerstone of pop culture for nearly 40 years. The coming-of-age story follows Daniel LaRusso, a young boy bullied by a vicious karate gang, who seeks guidance from an unlikely mentor – Mr. Miyagi, the gentle apartment maintenance man.
The story of Mr. Miyagi is deeply tragic. He was an immigrant who fought in World War II, and his wife and child died due to problems during childbirth in an American internment camp. However, the casting of Pat Morita, the actor who brought Mr. Miyagi to life, almost never happened due to a surprising reason.
Karate Kid‘s Pat Morita Casting Hanged in Balance
Even though Pat Morita’s portrayal of Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid is now legendary, there was a time when producer Jerry Weintraub wasn’t sure about casting him.
Weintraub had a specific vision for Mr. Miyagi as a serious character, and he was concerned that Morita’s background in comedy might not align with this vision.
Morita had gained fame through roles in sitcoms like Happy Days and M*A*S*H, establishing himself primarily as a comedic actor. As Morita recalled to The Hollywood Reporter:
“He wouldn’t even consider me for a reading. Every time my name came up in the casting process, he was adamant: ‘I don’t want a comic, I don’t want a comedian for this role. This is a heavy weight part. I want an actor.'”
Weintraub even expressed his doubts by reportedly saying, “I wish you could get a real Japanese guy to play this guy.” This remark reflected his uncertainty about Morita’s ability to portray the serious and wise nature of Mr. Miyagi.
Actors are frequently pigeonholed based on their past roles, which restrict the opportunities available to them. That was what happened in the case of the late actor.
Pat Morita’s Persistence Made Him Secure Iconic Mr. Miyagi Role
Director John Avildsen was always in Pat Morita’s corner right from the beginning. He saw something special in the then 52-year-old star and wanted to make sure others saw it too.
To prove his point, Avildsen recorded a one-on-one interview with Morita, showing a side of the actor that people hadn’t seen before. Even though Weintraub was impressed by this tape, he still had doubts. So Morita had to go through a tough audition process to convince everyone.
He auditioned a total of five times: first alone, then with Ralph Macchio for a chemistry test, then in costume, and finally, he filmed a scene on a sound stage. It was a long and challenging journey, but Morita’s determination paid off in the end. The Hollywood star’s persistence perfectly echoed the main message of the movie – overcoming tough obstacles that seem impossible at first.
Thankfully, Weintraub was eventually convinced. After Morita’s final audition, the producer realized his error and humbly admitted (as Morita told in an interview with THR), “I almost made the worst mistake of my life… You got the part of Miyagi.” Just like Daniel LaRusso in the film, Morita refused to give up, and in the end, he attained his dream role.
Watch The Karate Kid on Amazon Prime Video.
