[ad_1]
Photograph by Phillip Faraone/Getty Pictures for Netflix
We not too long ago had the pleasure of speaking about Cobra Kai with actor Gianni DeCenzo, aka Demetri Alexopoulos of Miyagi-Do karate.
Since 2018, Gianni DeCenzo has starred as Demetri Alexopoulos, the resident nerd of Miyagi-Do Karate, who has a hilarious behavior of speaking his manner into bother.
As a baby, Gianni DeCenzo starred in commercials for Sears, Sutter Well being, Geico, Honda, and Subway. He additionally landed a number of minor appearing roles, having starred in single episodes of The Center, The League, Again within the Recreation, Liv and Maddie. Since taking up the position of Demitri, Gianni has starred in NCIS as Owen and in NCIS: Los Angeles as Luke Austin.
Gianni will return to reprise his position as Demetri within the upcoming sixth season of Cobra Kai.
How did you first turn into concerned with Cobra Kai?
Gianni: I used to be 16 years previous, and I used to be type of going by way of this bizarre development interval the place I used to be tall sufficient to play older characters, however they have been searching for individuals 18 and older to play these characters. So I wasn’t getting a complete lot of auditions. I feel actually there was nearly a 12 months of a dry interval the place I simply wasn’t actually entering into to see something, after which sooner or later, I received Cobra Kai.
I went in for the one audition. I did the Cafeteria scene the place my character talks about handjobs, which was tremendous nice for me as a 16-year-old speaking to only a random lady in a room. I did that audition. I feel I learn it twice, after which that weekend, They informed me to fly out to Atlanta to movie, which was the primary time I had ever flown wherever to movie, which was cool. The remaining is historical past. I’ve been having an superior time. I feel it’s been seven years now.
Jacob: Cobra Kai was a YouTube authentic first earlier than transferring to Netflix. How was the change?
Gianni: I didn’t even understand it was occurring till it occurred. Yeah, we filmed our third season on YouTube. However then YouTube determined to not proceed with all of its authentic content material. They moved to a special factor. However yeah, Netflix picked it up, and it’s been superior ever since. They’re an amazing dwelling, and it’s nice working with them.
Jacob: As soon as Cobra Kai moved to Netflix, seasons three, 4, and 5 got here out tremendous quick, however the sixth season has introduced issues to a grinding halt.
Gianni: Properly, what we did was we filmed 4 and 5 in a single 12 months. Actually, we filmed 4, and I used to be like, okay, nice. That was tremendous enjoyable. We did the event. It was so nice. Then I went to do ADR, and so they informed me, “Oh, you’re about to return in a few month,” It was like, ” Oh, okay, nice. So yeah, I’ve by no means carried out that earlier than, filming two seasons one after the opposite, however it was very attention-grabbing filming.
Jacob: Was that intense filming seasons back-to-back?
Gianni: Yeah, as a result of I feel issues actually slowed down when Covid occurred. I feel we ended up being not on time As a result of, what, with Covid, you needed to break up the completely different teams. Group A can be actors and anybody immediately with the actors, after which Group B can be lighting, so when one group stepped in, the opposite must step out. So, what would normally take ten minutes to arrange a scene took about 30, and normally, it could take us threeish months to movie, however with Covid, it took 4 now.
What’s in retailer for Dimitri subsequent season?
Gianni: I die, my character dies. Yeah, it’s completely unrelated to karate. He slips and falls and dies. No, I imply the factor I’ve all the time needed to see with my character is how he develops right into a extra assured model of himself. As a result of, like we noticed in season one, he was very very like, “I do know I’m gonna keep in my very own lane. I don’t need to wish to exit of my consolation zone; I don’t need to threat failure,” and all through the seasons. We’ve been in a position to see him develop as a extra assured individual.
He’s turn into higher at karate. He received a brilliant sizzling, tremendous in style girlfriend. Issues have been going nice for him. He ended up within the semi-finalists of the All-Valley event, which was his first event ever, and it was terrific. So yeah, I need to see him develop much more in season six. And yeah, I can’t give out any spoilers, however it is going to be an amazing season. That’s all I can say.
Image: Gianni DeCenzo and Mary Mouser – Counterbalance Leisure
Jacob: Demitri has all the time been considered one of my favourite characters as a result of, like the way you spoke about his confidence, he all the time got here throughout as a assured introvert. We’ve received to see that transition of him going from being one of many unpopular children to gaining that outward confidence he’s all the time needed, because of karate, and gaining the power to defend himself.
Gianni: Yeah, I like that. I’ve by no means heard of a assured introvert, however that’s completely, that’s spot-on. He knew who he was from the very starting. It was only a matter of being prepared to step exterior of himself.
Jacob: Do you know any karate earlier than Cobra Kai, or was it one thing you discovered all through the collection?
Gianni: I did Taekwondo after I was eight. I feel I received as much as an orange belt, however I don’t assume that actually counts. Extra not too long ago, I’ve carried out Krav Maga, which, for anybody who doesn’t know, is an Israeli preventing method they might use within the navy. It’s not as flashy as karate or Taekwondo. It’s extra about kicking individuals within the groin and gouging their eyes out. It’s very very like “I need to survive,” whereas, , karate is a martial artwork. It appears to be like so superb. And so, , Krav Maga helped me somewhat bit, however I feel the good kick they’ve is a facet roundhouse, and in karate, there’s like twister roundhouses or again hook kicks and all that loopy stuff. So, it helped me somewhat, however I’ve undoubtedly discovered quite a bit from this present. We’ve got a improbable stunt staff. They educate us each time they’ll as a result of they prepare us and choreograph all of the fights. You may think about they get fairly busy after we movie, however I wouldn’t have it some other manner. They’re an amazing staff.
Image: Gianni DeCenzo and Ralph Maccio – Counterbalance Leisure
Jacob: Talking of fights, how was the varsity battle between you and Jacob (Hawk) from the top of the second season shot?
Gianni: That was actually the final scene of your entire season. They have been filming all of the battle stuff back-to-back, and typically, they weren’t utilizing audio. So whereas we have been perhaps preventing that, upstairs, an completely completely different battle was occurring like that was insane. I feel 17 on the time, and for those who’re underneath the age of 18 on set, There’s like a sure period of time that you may keep on, after which it’s important to go away. It’s referred to as pumpkins. So I used to be actually half-hour away from Pumpkining. They needed to get that scene out, After which with the precise trophy case, they’ve little issues. I feel they’re referred to as squibs, like tiny explosives. So when a stunt double goes into the trophy case, They set it off at the very same second, and it simply completely shatters. I feel Jacob needed to try this stunt. He normally does all of his personal as a result of he’s a madman, and I feel they turned him down as a result of there WAS damaged glass in every single place. He must fly into precise trophies. I feel he may have dealt with it although.
What was it like working with Ralph Macchio and William Zabka?
Gianni: After I first began, I used to be terrified. I get very starstruck typically, and so the primary scene I had with Billy was me Criticizing him after which him flipping me and punching me within the intestine. It was terrifying, however he’s a brilliant cool dude.
I keep in mind after we first did that scene, and he was truly educating individuals in between takes learn how to throw punches like an precise karate sensei. In order that was fairly cool to see, however no. They’re tremendous down-to-earth. I like working with Billy, Ralph, and Marty, who performs Kreese. Nonetheless, after I did my scene the place I’m criticizing his tattoo, which I criticize nearly everybody on this present, I noticed that’s nice. I get beat up quite a bit, however after I was criticizing his tattoo, he’s such knowledgeable. He stayed in Kreese mode, even when the digital camera wasn’t on him, in order that I may have an eyeline and, like because the character, I’m utterly oblivious, however as myself, I’m like, dude, what are you doing? Cease speaking? You’re going to get destroyed right here. Certain sufficient. He breaks his nostril, which was additionally tremendous enjoyable as a result of that was the primary time I started working with faux blood. It’s sticky and never nice, however I like working with them. It’s been an superior seven years of my life. It’s tremendous enjoyable.
Jacob: And the way about the remainder of the solid? I do know you have been already 16 once you began, however it’s such as you’ve all grown up collectively.
Gianni: Yeah, dude. I imply, they’re my household. They’re my household, solely we beat one another up much more than I’d say my precise household does, which is nice. No, I like working with them. Like I mentioned, I began after I was 16, I’m 22 now, and Jacob simply had his twenty fourth birthday. So we’re, , we’re rising up collectively. I’d go hang around with him later immediately. We’ll exit to brunch earlier than a scene or one thing; yeah, if now we have like a late name, it’s nice, I like working with these guys. I wouldn’t have it some other manner.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 07: Solid of Cobra Kai attends Netflix’s Cobra Kai Season 5 Los Angeles Premiere at Los Angeles Historic Park on September 07, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photograph by Phillip Faraone/Getty Pictures for Netflix)
What’s subsequent for you after Cobra Kai?
Gianni: Proper now, I’m engaged on writing as a result of the factor about appearing is it’s tremendous enjoyable, however a number of instances, it’s type of such as you’re ready for another person to offer you that subsequent alternative. So, to type of like do one thing alone that I need to make, I’ve been attempting to get into writing, and I’ve a few concepts for TV reveals and flicks that I ultimately need to pitch, however yeah, I’m simply gonna preserve engaged on that, and who is aware of?
Jacob: Is there something particular that you just like writing about?
Gianni: I principally like to jot down comedy—quite a bit. It’s only for me after I’m writing it, it flows so nicely, and I like doing comedic stuff. I imply, I like enjoying my character. Typically, he will get to be the comedic aid, and it’s simply tremendous enjoyable. I need to write some elements in for myself to play one thing humorous. Yeah, principally comedy, perhaps motion. I additionally like motion. Because of this present, I’ve a newfound appreciation for motion.
I imply, that is the primary time I’ve ever carried out A lot preventing and a lot choreography. It’s type of like dancing. Possibly motion comedy is one thing like that, which might be cool.
Jacob: Did you watch Obliterated? The blokes who created Cobra Kai have been behind Obliterated as nicely.
Gianni: I did! Have you ever seen it?
Jacob: I loved it. I believed it was nice.
Gianni: I’m unhappy I heard that it received canceled, although. However I undoubtedly thought it was humorous. I used to be curious to see the place it may have gone as a result of, at first, I believed it could be left type of open-ended, however it was totally resolved. So I believed perhaps it might be like an anthology collection as a result of, with a reputation like Obliterated, it might be. You already know, something in that type of motion comedy style, like an American Horror Story, every season is completely different.
If Cobra Kai may crossover with any franchise, film, TV present, or online game, what wouldn’t it be?
Gianni: Dude, I need to see a Magic the Gathering crossover. Jacob received me and Xolo into it. For anybody who doesn’t know, Hawk performs Jacob, and Xolo performs Miguel. He received us into it in like season two, and ever since then, he’s simply been kicking our ass.
Jacob: I play, too, and I noticed them each on the Command Zone as soon as.
Gianni: I’d be so nervous to go on there. I’m not an excellent magic participant, I don’t know. I get confused concerning the stack and every thing. It’s technical, man, however they did a crossover with Stranger Issues; I feel they gave them some actually cool playing cards. I need to see myself on a card, however that will be badass. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles additionally did a crossover with Cobra Kai, like a toy assortment. It might be cool if we explored that somewhat bit I’d wish to battle a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. My character would die, although, if we fought them.
Image: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover with Cobra Kai –
Jacob: Which of the 4 [Ninja Turtles ]would you favor to battle?
Gianni: God, oh man, ooh, which one’s the purple one, Donatello? Yeah, Donatello, I’d wish to battle him as a result of I wish to assume that if I have been a turtle, I’d be him. He’d go the best on me. I really feel like for those who got here throughout Raphael, , yeah, I’d be like crimson mist on the ground.
Jacob: Yeah, for those who got here throughout Raphael…
Gianni: Oh god, yeah, he would homicide me! I’d be like a crimson mist on the ground!
Are you excited for the upcoming sixth season of Cobra Kai on Netflix? Tell us within the feedback under!
[ad_2]
