jean claude van damme

POUND OF FLESH Weighs In With A New Release Date!

One of the more promising titles of late this year will be one for hardcore fans of action star Jean-Claude Van Damme‘s latest action thriller, Pound Of Flesh. Taking on China’s seedy underworld in search of his missing kidney, Van Damme plays Deacon, a former military operative who wages a one-man war against an entire criminal organization with his niece’s life at stake. The trailers so far bode with sheer, gruesome displays of brutality at the very center of this grisly tale of redemption, continuing an upworthy trend of memorable performances by Van Damme whose films are only hitting harder in many aspects. I’m pretty sure the fans are loving it, and by May 20, 2015 when the film arrives courtesy of eOne, I’m sure they’ll love it even more. SYNOPSIS: In China to donate his kidney to his dying niece, Deacon (VAN DAMME), a former black-ops agent, awakes the […]

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The Official Trailer For POUND OF FLESH Has Arrived!

Lee B. Golden III

Well, I think we’re finally getting somewhere what with all the early trailer leaks and take downs of content. An official first trailer has gone viral for director Ernie Barbarash‘s new movie, Pound Of Flesh and needless to say, as pristine as this new footage is, it is also equally welcoming for fans of lead action star Jean-Claude Van Damme in general. SYNOPSIS: In China to donate his kidney to his dying niece, Deacon (VAN DAMME), an former black-ops agent, awakes the day before the operation to find he is the latest victim of organ theft. Stitched up and pissed-off, Deacon descends from his opulent hotel in search of his stolen kidney and carves a blood-soaked path through the darkest corners of the city – brothels, fight clubs, back-alley black markets, and elite billionaire estates. The clock is ticking for his niece and with each step he loses blood; Deacon […]

JCVD Starrer POUND OF FLESH Gets An Extended Promo (NSFW)

Lee B. Golden III

Keeping up with the promotional campaign for director Ernie Barbarash‘s new action thriller, Pound Of Flesh, has been a bit more of a cat-and-mouse game while its owners at ACE Entertainment LLC. kept ordering take downs of its initally-leaked unofficial trailer last month. Thankfully, the trailer has managed to stay in one place or a couple after a while as the footage has already earned the appeal of fans awaiting to see lead action star Jean-Claude Van Damme back in the fray with a release date pending, and thus, the campaign continues! A new promotional reel was released over the weekend with a much more extended look at the film which pits Van Damme in the role of Deacon, an ex black-ops agent in China to donate his kidney to his dying niece until a tryst with a mysterious woman ensues with the theft of his kidney, forcing him into […]

JCVD Pounds Away In The New Unofficial Teaser For POUND OF FLESH

Lee B. Golden III

Well, if there’s one thing we can all look forward to in 2015, it’s another awesome action movie, and for fans of leading man Jean-Claude Van Damme, that very day will come upon the release of his third stint with 6 Bullets and Assassination Games helmer, director Ernie Barbarash in the new thriller, Pound Of Flesh. This time, Van Damme is taking no prisoners as an ex-military man, waking up one morning in a bloody ice bath with a missing kidney devoted to his dying niece, infiltrating China’s seedy underbelly to retrive it before it is sold to the highest bidder. Regular Donnie Yen cohort, fight coordinator and choreographer John Salvitti lends his own system of Salvitti Super Scraps methodology to the screenfighting foray with Bruce Law Stunts Unlimited designing the vehicular action, and we finally have some unofficial teaser footage that samples all this, with the biggest pay-off at […]

Stockwell’s KICKBOXER Invites Its Original Star, Jean-Claude Van Damme

Lee B. Golden III

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 […]

SWELTER Gets A New Trailer And U.S. Release!

Lee B. Golden III

Writer and director Keith Parmer‘s new gritty desert crime thriller, Swelter, is finally around the corner for North America after a long wait in the past year or so. And for the most part, as minor as action star Jean-Claude Van Damme‘s role is, it will likely appease hardcore fans with the actor dead center with the principle cast on the new DVD cover for the film which is getting a DVD, Blu-Ray and VoD release on August 12, courtesy of Well Go USA. SYNOPSIS: SWELTER is the story of the most notorious robbery in Las Vegas history. Five men, nicknamed the Rat Pack, hit the Luxor Casino for over one hundred million dollars. Four of the men are soon captured, while one barely escapes. Ten years later, after blasting their way out of a maximum-security prison, the four jailed members of the Rat Pack are hot on the trail […]

FULL LOVE To Get An Audience At SIFF 2014

Lee B. Golden III

Action hero Jean-Claude Van Damme has taken a pretty long and arduous journey to the completion of his latest film festival contribution, Full Love – only his second directorial offering since the 1996 tournament action adventure, The Quest. The film was reportedly shot in Thailand on a budget of $5 million dollars and underwent a small series of screenings in 2010, additional filming in Sofia, Bulgaria a few years later, and a few name changes between its initial title, The Eagle Path, and its later rebranding, Soldiers. Well, it’s 2014 now, and the actor has been keeping busy ever since, just recently wrapping things up in China on the set of his third film with director Ernie Barbarash titled Pound Of Flesh, and is now back and re-emerging once again with his long-awaited film, reverted back to the title, Full Love. The film is finally getting an audience for its […]

Van Damme Kicks Into Action For Barbarash's Newly-Wrapped POUND OF FLESH

Lee B. Golden III

Believe it or not, this is all we are going to get to see until a proper trailer airs for the forthcoming release of director Ernie Barbarash‘s newest Canadian indie action thriller, Pound Of Flesh. Filmed on-location in Guangdong, China from a script by Joshua James, the film marks Van Damme‘s third outing with Barbarash since 6 Bullets and the Scott Adkins co-starrer, Assassination Games. The film was announced back in January with Van Damme set to portray an ex-military man on a mission to find the people who left him for dead in a bathub full of ice and stole his kidney-originally intended for the dying daughter of his estranged brother. Principal photography has already wrapped after a three month shoot that began in March, joining Van Damme with action cinema superstar Darren Shahlavi, as well as John Ralston, Marsha Yuen, Jason Tobin, Andrew Ng and veteran actor Aki […]

Blurbs From China: Bruce Le’s Possible Return To Action And Talk Of Hard Target 2

Lee B. Golden III

From L to R: Mike Leeder, Wong King-lung, Darren Shahlavi and Mike Moller on the set of Pound Of Flesh During the course of filming in China for director Ernie Barbarash‘s new Jean Claude Van Damme actioner, Pound Of Flesh, a few updates have dropped during the production process that may leave a few old school kung fu cinema fans and Van Damme fans alike, pretty excited. While the production itself has already unveiled its fair share of set pics so far during filming, and as it stands, at least one news gem dates back to sometime when a group photo started going viral online. Notably, that photo included actor-turned-director Wong King-lung who worked as a contract player for Shaw Brothers before taking on nom de plume, “Bruce Le”, following Bruce Lee’s passing away in July of 1973. As it turns out, according to an article written recently by Far […]

Prepare To Die Laughing At The Hands Of JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMAGE!

Lee B. Golden III

Blockbuster action hero Jean-Claude Van Damme‘s latest appeal to comedy has proven positive for the actor in light of his latest laugh-out-loud role in the newly-released Rob Meltzer helmer, Welcome To The Jungle. And this week, the Muscles From Brussels continues to flex it all for a brand new contest being hosted by Funny Or Die for aspiring filmmakers looking for a chance to win some prizes while getting to share some screentime (via crafty-editing) with the actor and martial arts powerhouse. In light of this, multifaceted independent filmmaking cult favorite and RocketJump co-founder Freddie Wong had some time on his hands recently to collaborate with his friends over at Funny Or Die to get some lenstime for himself with Van Damme in making his own short movie. And for the record, Wong isn’t participating in the contest. But it does go to show that for fans and followers of […]

Jean-Claude Van Damme Kicks Nature In The Face In The New Red Band Trailer For WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE!

Lee B. Golden III

After the unveiling a new restricted international trailer for director Rob Meltzer‘s upcoming action comedy epic, Welcome To The Jungle, we now have an official U.S. red-band trailer for the film, due out for a VOD and limited theatrical release on February 7, 2014. Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme makes his return to the big screen for this latest comedic adventure that already shows promise in pulling no punches or kicks when it comes to bringing the laughs. Check out the trailer and stay tuned for more info. SYNOPSIS: Legendary action star Jean-Claude Van Damme takes on his first comedic role and joins Adam Brody, Rob Huebel, Kristen Schaal, Megan Boone, and Dennis Haysbert in “Welcome to the Jungle”. This laugh-out-loud comedy follows a group of unsuspecting office workers who find themselves stranded on a desert island when a corporate retreat led by unhinged former Marine Storm Rothchild (VAN DAMME) goes […]

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Tom Everett Scott Takes On JCVD In A New Clip From EMEMIES CLOSER

Lee B. Golden III

Reborn action hero Jean-Claude Van Damme gets his violent streak going as the main villain in his latest return to the big and small screen, Enemies Closer, featuring the actor’s third round with director Peter Hyams (Timecop, Sudden Death). In light of this, Crave Online has an exclusive clip featuring the actor in action opposite fellow lead protagonist Tom Everett Scott. Scott (That Thing You Do, Boiler Room) stars as a former military frogman-turned-ranger forced to double team with an old enemy, played by Orlando Jones (Double Take, Tainted Love [series]), to survive the night against a small, heavily armed army of drug trafficking mercenaries and their eccentric-but-deadly leader. The film gets its limited theatrical and VOD releases tomorrow, so be sure to check your local theater listings and digital retail outlets this weekend wherever films are sold. SYNOPSIS: After a major shipment of drugs goes missing on the US-Canadian […]

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Lions, Tigers And… Boobs? Oh My! The New NSFW Interational Trailer For WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE Is Here!

Lee B. Golden III

Blockbuster martial arts action hero Jean Claude Van Damme has done a LOT in the past several years, ultimately putting himself back on the map as one of the hardest working actors in film. And for a man who has seen his share of ups and downs, there is no challenge he isn’t willing to conquer head on – and that includes mother nature, which is a lot more than can be said for his motley crew of backpacking would-be adventurers in the new international NSFW trailer for Welcome To The Jungle. Van Damme joins director Rob Meltzer for their latest spectacular comedic action adventure comedy set for a limited theatrical North American release on February 7, with further releases pending in Japan, Italy, Sweden and France as of this report. In other news, the actor is also set to reunite this Spring with director Ernie Barbarash for their third […]

JCVD Hates Guns But Will Kill You With His Bare Hands In The New Trailer For ENEMIES CLOSER!

Lee B. Golden III

It’s funny, whenever I see actors Tom Everett Scott and Orlando Jones, I think about that drummer from That Thing You Do and the actor from the syndicated sketch comedy series, Mad TV. Scott and Jones are the last two people you would expect to see in a movie starring opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme as two former military servants at odds with each other amidst the emergence of a murderous drug smuggler and his small army. Well, director Peter Hyams in his latest return to the set with the Belgian epic Volvo truck splitter since their previous time together on the set of Timecop and Sudden Death, made it happen once again for the forthcoming North American release of the new thriller, Enemies Closer. And after releasing an international trailer a few months ago, we now have a new viral trailer making the rounds courtesy of Yahoo! Movies, which shares […]

JCVD Kicks Nature In The Face In The New Trailer For WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

Lee B. Golden III

Actor Jean Claude Van-Damme is continuing his latest string of come back films with the pending releases of the Peter Hyams-directed Enemies Closer in January 24, 2014, followed by the forthcoming release of director Rob Meltzer‘s long-awaited nature comedy, Welcome To The Jungle. The latter received a brand new trailer on Tuesday to headline its VoD/limited theatrical release on February 7, and already shows ample humor, comedic action with a fresh cast, over-the-top raunchy gags and overexaggerated spectacle enough to keep JCVD fans attached for the laughs. Watch the new trailer below. SYNOPSIS: Legendary action star Jean-Claude Van Damme takes on his first comedic role and joins Adam Brody, Rob Huebel, Kristen Schaal, Megan Boone, and Dennis Haysbert in “Welcome to the Jungle”. This laugh-out-loud comedy follows a group of unsuspecting office workers who find themselves stranded on a desert island when a corporate retreat led by unhinged former Marine […]

Volvo Presents JCVD In THE EPIC SPLIT!

Lee B. Golden III

Photo: Jean-Claude Van Damme in No Retreat, No Surrender (1986) We rarely see martial arts action superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme do his famous splits in movies anymore, leaving some to wonder if he can still do them. Apparently, the 53-year old actor still has it, and is willing to put himself on the line to show it in the form of a new stunt as per a new campaign push for Volvo Trucks. The following behind the scenes video shows Volvo technician Jan-Inge Svensson sitting with the actor discussing what lies ahead for the stunt, and even joking over the possibility of falling, which Svensson assures won’t happen with the promised stability and steering capability in their new line of Class 8 automobiles. But even more alluring here is that after appearing in The Expendables 2 and Universal Soldier: Day Of Reckoning, one of the most memorable icons in action […]

Watch The New Trailer For ENEMIES CLOSER

Lee B. Golden III

A new trailer is going viral for the upcoming release of the new Jean-Claude Van Damme action vehicle, Enemies Closer. The film is the latest effort reteaming Van Damme with director Peter Hyams since working on the 1994 sci-fi adventure Timecop and the 1995 action thriller Sudden Death, in addition to Universal Soldier: Regeneration and Day Of Reckoning helmer John Hyams who served as cinematographer and editor. Enemies Closer also stars lead actors Tom Everett Scott and Orlando Jones in what continues to look like an impressive foray into action since the first trailer was unveiled in July. North America will have to wait a while longer before for the film, but action fans in Europe are about to get first dibs, with upcoming releases in Germany on October 30, followed by its release on December 4 in France. Furthermore, the German release highlights at least two new re-releases […]

Tom Everert Scott And Orlando Jones Take On JCVD In ENEMIES CLOSER

Lee B. Golden III

If being an action movie fan teaches you nothing else, it will teach you that actors Tom Everett Scott and Orlando Jones are prepared to handle themselves on the set of a Peter Hyams action thriller. Yep! The same director who brought you the badassery in the 1990’s Timecop and Sudden Death is ready to deliver you one gritty, brutal, bloody piece of action cinema, partering once again with Jean-Claude Van Damme for their latest film, Enemies Closer. The film tells the story of two sworn enemies who are forced to battle their way through a Van Damme and his small, highly trained army of baddies deep in the night. Moreover, with son, John Hyams handling the editing, the fact that John shares his own directorial credits which include the Cung Le starrer, Dragon Eyes, followed by Universal Soldier: Day Of Reckoning with Scott Adkins, shows that both father and […]

Jean-Claude Van Damme Set To Take On Rich Criminals In LUXURY MEETS JUSTICE

Lee B. Golden III

The last person I think anyone would expect to step into the field of action cinema would be Michel Adam, founder and sole owner of the 24-hour glamour and beauty-oriented lifestyle network, Fashion TV. Apparently, action is where it is at this stage of his career in having announced a new $40 million dollar project this month with revived Hollywood action star Jean-Claude Van Damme for a new film series called Luxury Meets Justice. The South China Morning Post covered the story a few days ago as Van Damme is currently in Hong Kong scouting for new talent. He said, “We want to help young talents who are ready to explode in China, Chinese national treasures in a sense,”. He also expressed his sentiments for the Chinese government regarding his current ambitions for the film, saying, “We want to work with the government of China to show them our good faith, […]

TIMECOP Gets A Reboot, No Van Damme

Lee B. Golden III

Looks like LADY BLOODSPORT won’t be the only re-imagining of a Jean-Claude Van Damme classic. Jean-Claude Van Damme takes on James Lew in TIMECOP (1994). Photo: AMC Films According to the latest developments over at The Hollywood Reporter, the 1994 science fiction blockbuster, TIMECOP is being observed as a reboot with producers Mark Shmuger and Tom McNulty under the Global Produce banner at Universal. The subsequent success of the first film, based on a Dark Horse Comics publication, led to a sequel starring actor Jason Scott Lee, followed by a video game adaptation and a short-lived television series. THR also states that the project will not involve Jean-Claude Van Damme, but there is no word yet on who will star in the film or direct it. It is also not the first time the “Muscle From Brussels” has been snubbed by the people re-envisioning one of the most successful films […]