Ralph Macchio reveals alternate title for 'The Karate Kid'

Cobra Kai star Ralph Macchio sat down with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show Tuesday night, where he cleared up some popular rumors related to the 1984 film The Karate Kid, 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. 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," Macchio told Fallon. 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.

It's a good thing 'East Meets West in West' did not end up being the name of the film, and it's also a good thing that Macchio was cast as Daniel LaRusso. On Tuesday, Macchio also confirmed there were some pretty big names circling the role as well including 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."

Video Transcript

RALPH MACCIO: I thought-- and I was not the only one who thought it was kind of a hokey, kind of cheesy title, for a movie being directed by the guy who made "Rocky."

KYLIE MAR: Ralph Maccio, a.k.a. The Karate Kid, appeared on "The Tonight Show" starring Jimmy Fallon Tuesday night, where, much to the delight of viewers, he cleared up some popular rumors related to the 1984 classic-- like the fact that he initially did not like the film's title. However, Maccio revealed that there was actually a worse title on the table.

RALPH MACCIO: I think John Avildsen, our director, said, maybe is east meets west in west. I was like--

[LAUGHTER]

[INTERPOSING VOICES]

JIMMY FALLON: You always want people do a little math when they're going to see the movie.

RALPH MACCIO: Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly. Like, what does that mean?

KYLIE MAR: It's a good thing east meets west in west did not end up being the name of the film. And it's also a good thing that Maccio was cast as Daniel LaRusso, because on Tuesday, the "Cobra Kai" star also confirmed there were some pretty big names circling the role as well, including Nicolas Cage, Robert Downey Jr, and Charlie Sheen.

RALPH MACCIO: I remember walking by and seeing Charlie Sheen hanging outside of Jerry Weintraub's bungalow. I was like, what's Charlie doing here?

JIMMY FALLON: [LAUGHS].

RALPH MACCIO: And I--

JIMMY FALLON: [INAUDIBLE] Hey, bud. Nice to see you again.

RALPH MACCIO: Yeah. Good to see you. What are you doing here? You don't like an Italian guy from Jersey.