Legends director explains why the new sequel didn't feature any original Cobra Kai characters, and there is a very fair answer.

Legends director Jonathan Entwistle strived to restore the cinematic identity of the beloved franchise.  The British filmmaker - who's most known for helming idiosyncratic streaming series such as End of the F***ing World and I Am Not Okay With This - designed his feature directorial debut to unite Karate Kid and Cobra Kai fans from every generation.