Kickboxing is all the rage this week (as I said before in my earlier report), as things begin to finally take shape for two current, seperately running visions for a return to the classic martial arts franchise. Here, we are joining in with word from The Hollywood Reporter that martial artist superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme is poised to star in the forthcoming re-adaptation of the 1989 original film which he starred in under directors Mark DiSalle and David Worth.
Kickboxer was a cornerstone in Van Damme’s earlier Hollywood career post films like Black Eagle, No Retreat – No Surrender, Bloodsport, and the Albert Pyun-directed Cyborg among others. The film essentially put the Belgian action hero on the world map as he kicked his way to stardom in the role of Kurt Sloane, who undergoes a test of spiritual and physical strength, endurance and will in order to take on vicious Muay Thai fighter, Tong Po after witnessing him cripple his champion brother, Eric (Dennis Alexio) in the ring.
Van Damme is in final talks while the film has already commensed shooting with helmer John Stockwell, and martial artist, stuntman and debut actor Alain Moussi inheriting the lead role opposite Dave Batista as Tong Po. Rounding out the current cast are UFC welterweight champion and Captain America: The Winter Soldier co-star, Georges St. Pierre, and The Martial Arts Kid co-stars, actors T.J. Storm and Matthew Ziff.
The details are fuzzy at the moment on what this could mean for the new remake in lieu of having both generations starring in the same film. It lends a bit of curiousity as to whether or not Van Damme will take on the role of the master who trains Moussi‘s character, or a similar role. Whatever the case may be, martial arts cinema fans now have a reason to celebrate seeing Van Damme back on the big screen again.
Stay tuned for more info.
H/T: ComingSoon.net