Probably one of the biggest pieces of developing news as of late has been the current stagnation surrounding a forthcoming remake of the 1989 martial arts tournament thriller, Kickboxer. Updates have been slow and steady since the film was announced last summer, followed by this year’s press release from The Exchange CEO, Brian O’Shea in lieu of Cannes, with a cast list that appeared to be sizing up quite nicely with martial artist and stuntman Alain Moussi (X-Men: Days Of Future Past, Warcraft) set to make his acting debut. Lately however, the production has been hitting some bumps in the past several months, signified otherwise by the fact that the film was supposed to go into production in Thailand a few months ago.
This week now, those bumps have turned into thumps, after losing martial arts action stars, actor Scott Adkins a few months ago, in addition to Tony Jaa just the other day. Moreover, it also appears that Tai Chi 0 helmer Stephen Fung is now no longer directing the film either as of several weeks ago according to sources close to the film’s development, which now brings word that John Stockwell has been tentatively attached to direct the film in his place. Stockwell‘s directorial credits include directed the action comedy sequels Cat Run and Cat Run 2, in addition to his latest action adventure thriller, In The Blood starring mixed-martial artist and actress, Gina Carano, so it appears he may have something to go on for genre fans intrigued by what a remake of an American classic would look like with Moussi in the lead.
Previously portrayed by superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme in the 1989 original directed by Mark DiSalle and David Worth, Moussi inherits the role of Kurt Sloan whose mission to avenge the death of his champion brother, Eric, at the hands of merciless Muay Thai fighter, Tong Po, verges him onto a spiritual path of self-discovery and true strength while undergoing a rigorous training regimen under his late brother’s master, Xian Chow. Following Jaa’s and Adkins’ departure, actor and mixed-martial artist Dave Bautista (Guardians Of The Galaxy, Riddick) is currently lined-up to play the main villain with a role to be determined for actor and athlete Georges St. Pierre (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), while other cast announcements remain pending.
Ted Field is producing for Radar Pictures with Dimitri Logothetis and Nick Celozzi also producing, while Mike Weber and Peter Meyer will executive produce as well as The Exchange’s O’Shea along with Jeff Bowler and Nat McCormick.
Stick around for more updates.