Ever since Rocky took the world by storm in 1976, people have been enamored with the idea of an underdog fighting his way to victory. There is something about two people entering an arena and just seeing who is the best. Movies help us find the themes and metaphors we can use for this mentality in our everyday life. If you’re in a funk and then play the Rocky theme, you suddenly become more motivated than ever to get over that mountain called life. With Creed IV reportedly in the works, we figured this would be a great time to put together a list of the best fighting movies other than Rocky.
Warrior (2011)
Tommy returns home after a stint in the Marines to find his father has cleaned himself up. They begin training for an upcoming mixed martial arts tournament offering the sport’s biggest payday. Tommy’s estranged...
Warrior (2011)
Tommy returns home after a stint in the Marines to find his father has cleaned himself up. They begin training for an upcoming mixed martial arts tournament offering the sport’s biggest payday. Tommy’s estranged...
- 3/24/2024
- by Bryan Wolford
- JoBlo.com
When it first came out in 1992, Mortal Kombat was the talk of the town. Every kid and their mother knew about it. Literally. The sheer violence and gore featured in the once-arcade game, had mothers taking to news outlets and politicians to get the game banned. Quite reminiscent of Kyle’s mom from South Park, one could say. Despite major censorship calls and aiding the birth of the Esrb, Mortal Kombat flourished, thanks in part to the controversies surrounding it.
Infamy of its gore aside, the game quickly became popular amongst players for its array of characters. The base roster still lives on in the modern iterations of the fighting game. Whether Liu Kang was your go-to or Thunder God Raiden, or perhaps Scorpion, everyone had their favorite pick. But amongst the ninjas and Gods alike, one character stood out that didn’t quite fit this bill… And that was Johnny Cage.
Infamy of its gore aside, the game quickly became popular amongst players for its array of characters. The base roster still lives on in the modern iterations of the fighting game. Whether Liu Kang was your go-to or Thunder God Raiden, or perhaps Scorpion, everyone had their favorite pick. But amongst the ninjas and Gods alike, one character stood out that didn’t quite fit this bill… And that was Johnny Cage.
- 3/4/2024
- by Divyashree Shashidhar
- FandomWire
It has been three decades in the making, but Jean-Claude Van Damme will finally be appearing in the Mortal Kombat franchise, as series staple Johnny Cage will get a skin based on the Muscles from Brussels.
As per the official Mortal Kombat 1 website, the game’s Kombat Pack expansion will feature “a Johnny Cage character skin with the likeness of famed actor and martial artist, Jean-Claude Van Damme (available at launch).” And yes, pre-orders are now live for those who want to experience Jcvd do a split and punch Shang Tsung in the groin.
The upcoming Mortal Kombat game including Jean-Claude Van Damme is a full circle moment for both the series and the actor, as creators Ed Boon and John Tobias were partly inspired by 1988’s Bloodsport, with Johnny Cage being modeled directly after Frank Dux. Midway’s plan was actually to base the game around Jcvd but couldn...
As per the official Mortal Kombat 1 website, the game’s Kombat Pack expansion will feature “a Johnny Cage character skin with the likeness of famed actor and martial artist, Jean-Claude Van Damme (available at launch).” And yes, pre-orders are now live for those who want to experience Jcvd do a split and punch Shang Tsung in the groin.
The upcoming Mortal Kombat game including Jean-Claude Van Damme is a full circle moment for both the series and the actor, as creators Ed Boon and John Tobias were partly inspired by 1988’s Bloodsport, with Johnny Cage being modeled directly after Frank Dux. Midway’s plan was actually to base the game around Jcvd but couldn...
- 5/19/2023
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
Known for his high-flying kicks and flexibility, Belgian actor Jean-Claude Van Damme is trained in kickboxing, taekwondo, and kung fu. As a teen, he won the European Professional Karate Association's middleweight championship. Hoping to use his unique skillset to become the next big thing in Hollywood, he moved to Los Angeles in the '80s. Today, Van Damme is regarded as one of the best action stars of all time.
His impact extends beyond the world of cinema. He inspired the ring name for one of my favorite professional wrestlers, WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam, whose look and high-flying maneuvers were identical to those of the "Timecop" star, so much so that I actually thought they were brothers. In a 2021 episode of "WWE Icons," the wrestler explained the effect the actor had on his career:
"When I'm down in Florida in '91 and '92, [wrestler-turned-promoter] Ron Slinker is running the [professional wrestling studio] Tampa Sportatorium.
His impact extends beyond the world of cinema. He inspired the ring name for one of my favorite professional wrestlers, WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam, whose look and high-flying maneuvers were identical to those of the "Timecop" star, so much so that I actually thought they were brothers. In a 2021 episode of "WWE Icons," the wrestler explained the effect the actor had on his career:
"When I'm down in Florida in '91 and '92, [wrestler-turned-promoter] Ron Slinker is running the [professional wrestling studio] Tampa Sportatorium.
- 10/1/2022
- by J. Gabriel Ware
- Slash Film
As we eagerly anticipate the release of the latest Mortal Kombat movie, many find themselves looking back on Mortal Kombat’s 1995 big-screen debut. While that film has its charms and its fans (myself included), the movie has rightfully been criticized over the years for lacking many of the best qualities of the game as well as many of the best elements of the martial arts movies that clearly inspired it.
Of course, the relationship between Mortal Kombat and martial arts films has always been close. Not only did the game utilize a then-revolutionary form of motion capturing that gave it a standout cinematic look, but many aspects of the title were practically taken directly from some of the best and biggest martial arts movies of that era.
As the years go on, though, it becomes more and more clear that no martial arts movie impacted the development of Mortal Kombat more than Bloodsport.
Of course, the relationship between Mortal Kombat and martial arts films has always been close. Not only did the game utilize a then-revolutionary form of motion capturing that gave it a standout cinematic look, but many aspects of the title were practically taken directly from some of the best and biggest martial arts movies of that era.
As the years go on, though, it becomes more and more clear that no martial arts movie impacted the development of Mortal Kombat more than Bloodsport.
- 4/21/2021
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
Stars: Bryan Craig, Tommy Flanagan, Sean Patrick Flannery, George Kosturos, Allison Paige | Written by Carl Morris, Shaun Piccinino | Directed by Shaun Piccinino
[Note: With the film finally debuting in the UK next week, here’s a reposting of our review of American Fighter from its screening at last years Fantasia Festival]
A fictional sequel to an semi-autobiographical original, American Fighter is an interesting proposition for a film and, at least in cinematic terms, shares a lot in common with the classic martial arts film Bloodsport – both deal with underground fighting and both have a connection to the real-life tales of their characters. In this case George Kosturos plays the alter-ego of producer Ali Afshar – whose story of moving from Iran to America and fitting in by becoming a top-class athlete was told in the 2016 film American Wrestler.
American Fighter picks up where that film left off, once again following Ali Jahani (George Kosturos) as he tries to raise funds to get his mother out of Tehran after his father...
[Note: With the film finally debuting in the UK next week, here’s a reposting of our review of American Fighter from its screening at last years Fantasia Festival]
A fictional sequel to an semi-autobiographical original, American Fighter is an interesting proposition for a film and, at least in cinematic terms, shares a lot in common with the classic martial arts film Bloodsport – both deal with underground fighting and both have a connection to the real-life tales of their characters. In this case George Kosturos plays the alter-ego of producer Ali Afshar – whose story of moving from Iran to America and fitting in by becoming a top-class athlete was told in the 2016 film American Wrestler.
American Fighter picks up where that film left off, once again following Ali Jahani (George Kosturos) as he tries to raise funds to get his mother out of Tehran after his father...
- 7/21/2020
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Stars: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Roger Moore, James Remar, Janet Gunn, Jack McGee, Aki Aleong, Abdel Qissi, Louis Mandylor | Written by Frank Dux, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Steve Klein, Paul Mones | Directed by Jean-Claude Van Damme
Ah, 1996. The year that gave us Fargo, Scream, From Dusk till Dawn, The Craft and The Frighteners. It also gave us Daylight, with Stallone, Barb Wire with Pamela Anderson, Eraser with Arnie and… The Quest, with Jean-Claude Van Damme, who also directed it. The Quest. You remember this, right? I mean… at a time when action-stars were squeezing the last drops of sweat and tears from the action-movie genre that hit massive heights in the 80s, Van Damme joined them. He wrote, directed and, of course, starred in this movie, a movie that also starred Roger Moore. Yes, Roger Moore. James Bond. The Saint. Roger bloody Moore! I mean, Roger would say that The Quest was...
Ah, 1996. The year that gave us Fargo, Scream, From Dusk till Dawn, The Craft and The Frighteners. It also gave us Daylight, with Stallone, Barb Wire with Pamela Anderson, Eraser with Arnie and… The Quest, with Jean-Claude Van Damme, who also directed it. The Quest. You remember this, right? I mean… at a time when action-stars were squeezing the last drops of sweat and tears from the action-movie genre that hit massive heights in the 80s, Van Damme joined them. He wrote, directed and, of course, starred in this movie, a movie that also starred Roger Moore. Yes, Roger Moore. James Bond. The Saint. Roger bloody Moore! I mean, Roger would say that The Quest was...
- 10/25/2019
- by Chris Cummings
- Nerdly
Stars: Bryan Craig, Tommy Flanagan, Sean Patrick Flannery, George Kosturos, Allison Paige | Written by Carl Morris, Shaun Piccinino | Directed by Shaun Piccinino
A fictional sequel to an semi-autobiographical original, American Fighter is an interesting proposition for a film and, at least in cinematic terms, shares a lot in common with the classic martial arts film Bloodsport – both deal with underground fighting and both have a connection to the real-life tales of their characters. In this case George Kosturos plays the alter-ego of producer Ali Afshar – whose story of moving from Iran to America and fitting in by becoming a top-class athlete was told in the 2016 film American Wrestler.
American Fighter picks up where that film left off, once again following Ali Jahani (George Kosturos) as he tries to raise funds to get his mother out of Tehran after his father is pulled of their flight to the Us and assassinated,...
A fictional sequel to an semi-autobiographical original, American Fighter is an interesting proposition for a film and, at least in cinematic terms, shares a lot in common with the classic martial arts film Bloodsport – both deal with underground fighting and both have a connection to the real-life tales of their characters. In this case George Kosturos plays the alter-ego of producer Ali Afshar – whose story of moving from Iran to America and fitting in by becoming a top-class athlete was told in the 2016 film American Wrestler.
American Fighter picks up where that film left off, once again following Ali Jahani (George Kosturos) as he tries to raise funds to get his mother out of Tehran after his father is pulled of their flight to the Us and assassinated,...
- 7/31/2019
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Leah Ayres is best known for playing the sneaky Kumite reporter, Janice Kent -- who turns into Frank Dux's love interest played by Jean-Claude Van Damme -- in the kick-ass 1988 action movie "Bloodsport." Guess what she looks like now!
- 7/31/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Article by Mark Longden
I love regional genre cinema – those movies that existed in the early days of VHS and video rental stores,
when seemingly anything could turn a small profit. There are many of them – 1977’s “The Demon
Lover”, 1987’s “Night Screams”, and the early movies of Donald Farmer, among many many more. It was
with great delight when I read the We Are Movie Geeks article on the St Louis Video Society and their
upcoming showing of a local movie so obscure it doesn’t even have an IMDb page, the amazing “Justice
Ninja Style”.
This gem was filmed in DeSoto, a little drive out of St Louis in what would politely be referred to as rural
Missouri, and is the brainchild of one Ron White, an apparent 10th dan black belt in karate. He’s written a
few books, including one with the excellent title “So You...
I love regional genre cinema – those movies that existed in the early days of VHS and video rental stores,
when seemingly anything could turn a small profit. There are many of them – 1977’s “The Demon
Lover”, 1987’s “Night Screams”, and the early movies of Donald Farmer, among many many more. It was
with great delight when I read the We Are Movie Geeks article on the St Louis Video Society and their
upcoming showing of a local movie so obscure it doesn’t even have an IMDb page, the amazing “Justice
Ninja Style”.
This gem was filmed in DeSoto, a little drive out of St Louis in what would politely be referred to as rural
Missouri, and is the brainchild of one Ron White, an apparent 10th dan black belt in karate. He’s written a
few books, including one with the excellent title “So You...
- 9/18/2017
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Shortly after running our last piece, How Did This Get Made: A Conversation with Frank Dux, the Real-Life Inspiration for Bloodsport, I was put in touch with Sheldon Lettich. This was significant not only because he wrote the screenplay for Bloodsport, but also because Dux had said some unflattering things about the writer. So when […]
The post How Did This Get Made: A Conversation with Sheldon Lettich, Screenwriter of Bloodsport appeared first on /Film.
The post How Did This Get Made: A Conversation with Sheldon Lettich, Screenwriter of Bloodsport appeared first on /Film.
- 4/5/2016
- by Blake Harris
- Slash Film
Unlike so many of the testosterone-fueled films of the ’80s, Bloodsport holds the rare distinction of being based on a true story. It’s the amazing tale of Frank Dux, a Caucasian martial artist who fought in (and won) a ruthless secret tournament that’s held only once every five years. It’s a tale so amazing that […]
The post How Did This Get Made: A Conversation with Frank Dux, the Real-Life Inspiration for Bloodsport appeared first on /Film.
The post How Did This Get Made: A Conversation with Frank Dux, the Real-Life Inspiration for Bloodsport appeared first on /Film.
- 3/24/2016
- by Blake Harris
- Slash Film
Ralph Macchio's birthday -- he turns 54 on November 4 -- reminds us that, not only do we love the Karate Kid, but we love even more a training montage.
You know, that staple of feel-good, fist-pumping, sweat-exuding movies, especially from the aerobicized '80s, that shows rapid-cut clips of the star getting in shape or mastering some arcane fighting technique, usually set to some inspirational, synth-heavy anthem.
By the end of that decade, the training montage had become such an overblown cliché that it fell out of favor, which is why we cherish the few new ones that come along and relish the old ones that still make us feel like slackers. So cue up Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger," raise a glass of raw eggs, and drink a toast to the best training montages ever.
11. 'G.I. Jane' (1997)
Training to become the first female Navy Seal, Demi Moore's Lt.
You know, that staple of feel-good, fist-pumping, sweat-exuding movies, especially from the aerobicized '80s, that shows rapid-cut clips of the star getting in shape or mastering some arcane fighting technique, usually set to some inspirational, synth-heavy anthem.
By the end of that decade, the training montage had become such an overblown cliché that it fell out of favor, which is why we cherish the few new ones that come along and relish the old ones that still make us feel like slackers. So cue up Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger," raise a glass of raw eggs, and drink a toast to the best training montages ever.
11. 'G.I. Jane' (1997)
Training to become the first female Navy Seal, Demi Moore's Lt.
- 11/3/2015
- by Gary Susman
- Moviefone
Bloodsport
Written by Christopher Crosby, Mel Freidman and Shedon Lettich
Directed by Newt Arnold
USA, 1988
Every year in Hong Kong, an underground martial arts tournament is held in secrecy. The Kumite (a term given to a specific type of karate) is where the world’s best fighters come together on invitation to prove their worth in full contact fights, no questions asked. United States Army captain Frank Dux (Jean-Claude Van Damme), having been trained under the auspices of Senzo Tanaka (Roy Chiao), has received his invitation to this year’s tournament and, against the orders of his immediate superiors, slips away from detection and travels to the Far East for the fight of his life. Once there, he meets fellow American fighter Ray Jackson (Donald Gibb) and nosy reporter Janice Kent (Leah Ayres), who wants a scoop on the action. Hounding Frank are two officers, Helmer and Rawlins (Norman Burton and,...
Written by Christopher Crosby, Mel Freidman and Shedon Lettich
Directed by Newt Arnold
USA, 1988
Every year in Hong Kong, an underground martial arts tournament is held in secrecy. The Kumite (a term given to a specific type of karate) is where the world’s best fighters come together on invitation to prove their worth in full contact fights, no questions asked. United States Army captain Frank Dux (Jean-Claude Van Damme), having been trained under the auspices of Senzo Tanaka (Roy Chiao), has received his invitation to this year’s tournament and, against the orders of his immediate superiors, slips away from detection and travels to the Far East for the fight of his life. Once there, he meets fellow American fighter Ray Jackson (Donald Gibb) and nosy reporter Janice Kent (Leah Ayres), who wants a scoop on the action. Hounding Frank are two officers, Helmer and Rawlins (Norman Burton and,...
- 5/10/2014
- by Edgar Chaput
- SoundOnSight
Bloodsport may be one of the most overrated movies there is. It wasn’t particularly good, but it’s remembered and held on a pedestal because it made Jean-Claude Van Damme a star. A couple of years ago, it was announced that Bloodsport would be getting remade by director Phillip Noyce, but that has since changed. Relativity is now producing the reboot with director James McTeigue (V For Vendetta), and is also bringing in someone new to rewrite the script.
In the original Bloodsport, Van Damme played Frank Dux, a young trainee of master of the art Tanaka who participates in the Kumite, the ultimate martial arts tournament where participants are heavy injured and killed. Back when Noyce was director, the story was said to follow an American who goes to Brazil to recover from the violence he experience in Afghanistan but ends up involved in a martial arts contest.
In the original Bloodsport, Van Damme played Frank Dux, a young trainee of master of the art Tanaka who participates in the Kumite, the ultimate martial arts tournament where participants are heavy injured and killed. Back when Noyce was director, the story was said to follow an American who goes to Brazil to recover from the violence he experience in Afghanistan but ends up involved in a martial arts contest.
- 7/25/2013
- by Laura Frances
- LRMonline.com
Variety has learned that James McTeigue (V for Vendetta, Raven) has signed on to remake Jean-Claude Van Damme's 1988 martial arts film "Bloodsport," with plans of filming in both Australia and Rio de Janeiro. Van Damme starred in the original film as American Frank Dux, who is invited to participate in a deadly martial arts tournament called the Kumite. The new film is said to explore Brazil's Vale Tudo fighting style. The script is written by Robert Mark Kamen (Taken). Meanwhile, Stephen Fung (Tai Chi Zero) has been hired to direct a reboot of Van Damme's 1989 "Kickboxer" film, about a man out to avenge his brother by learning the Muay Thai fighting style.
- 7/25/2013
- WorstPreviews.com
First Stallone, now Van Damme, it seems today was the day to reboot the films of 80s action stars. The latest is Bloodsport, the 1988 action film that served as Jean-Claude Van Damme‘s first major starring role (outside of his turn as ‘Gay Karate Man’ in Monaco Forever). Variety reports that James McTeigue, of V for Vendetta and Ninja Assassin, will be directing the upcoming remake. While the original film was based off of a somewhat-true story (the real-life version of Van Damme’s character, Frank Dux, allegedly fought in a bloody tournament similar to the filmed one), the updated story will likely have a political edge. Two years ago, it was reported that a new Bloodsport would follow a mercenary fresh from Afghanistan, who seeks respite from violence but ends up in a deadly Brazilian fighting tournament. There’s no word on the Afghanistan angle, but Variety’s article does include the phrases “21st century mercenaries...
- 7/25/2013
- by Adam Bellotto
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
It’s twice the Van Dammage, but how much of the Van Damme? Jean-Claude Van Damme fans are no doubt hoping that their favoritest Muscles from Brussels will land at least a cameo in either a remake of Relativity’s “Bloodsport” or Radar Pictures’ “Kickboxer”. Until we find out for sure, though, fans will just have to make due with this news that both pictures have now secured directors, with Chinese actor-turned-director Stephen Fung landing the directing gig for “Kickboxer”, while Aussie James McTeigue will helm “Bloodsport”. McTeigue is known primarily as the director of “V for Vendetta”, but he also directed the excellent “Ninja Assassin” and more recently, the less-than-excellent “The Raven”. He’ll direct the remake of “Bloodsport”, which in the 1988 original found Van Damme playing an American Army officer named Frank Dux, who enters an underground Hong Kong tournament known as the Kumite and fights Bolo Yeung.
- 7/25/2013
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
Lately the sheer number of remakes being proposed has gotten beyond ridiculous. But here.s one no one saw coming: Relativity is rebooting Bloodsport. That.s right, Variety reports the 1988 martial arts movie that starred Jean-Claude Van Damme is getting a makeover at the hands of V is for Vendetta director James McTeigue. Bloodsport was one of Van Damme.s first starring roles. Centered around a brutal martial arts competition, the movie was essentially constructed to show off his unique skill set. Surprisingly, this in-the-works remake doesn.t have any acting talent attached just yet. The original film was inspired by the life (or claims) of American martial artist Frank Dux, and focused on his quest to do his Ninjutsu master proud by winning the Kumite, a full-contact tournament that has been known to turn deadly. There is no mention of Dux or the Kumite in Relativity.s reboot. Instead,...
- 7/24/2013
- cinemablend.com
I feel a lot like Frank Dux during the final fight in Bloodsport: someone has thrown sand in my eyes at the confirmation that the Van Damme-less Bloodsport reboot is moving forward with filming slated to begin in early 2014. The original Bloodsport is a Cannon Films classic based on the "true" life story of Frank Dux who entered the underground Kumite competition in Hong Kong. Featuring Bolo Yeung, Donald Gibb, and a young Forest Whitaker, it is one of those classic 1980s guy...
- 7/24/2013
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
V For Vendetta and The Raven helmer James McTeigue is set to direct a remake of the 1988 martial arts film Bloodsport . Variety reports that Relativity has plans to shoot the new take in both Australia and Rio de Janeiro. Jean-Claude Van Damme starred in the original film as American Frank Dux, a Ninjustu expert invited to participate in a deadly martial arts tournament called the Kumite. The new film is said to explore Brazil's Vale Tudo fighting style. Robert Mark Kamen ( Taken ) is providing the screenplay for the new version, which will be produced by Chris Brown, Alberto Lensi and Edward R. Pressman. The lengthy list of executive producers includes Daniel Bernhardt, Mark Disalle, Heidi Eckes-Chantre, Jon Katz, Ryan Kavanaugh, Jeremy Thomas, Brett Thornquest and Tucker...
- 7/24/2013
- Comingsoon.net
Born in the Big Apple in january of 1951, Sheldon Lettich moved with his family to the West Coast at a young age. After finishing High School, he joined the Marine Corps, serving his country for four years, one of them as a Radio Operator in Vietnam.
Partially based upon his experiences in Southeast Asia, he co-authored Tracers, a play seen in the Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago and London stages, to great acclaim; It subsequently won the prestigious Drama Desk and L.A. Drama Critics Awards.
The writing of screenplays seemed like a natural progression and his writing eventually began attracting the attention of many Hollywood producers.
Since then, Lettich has become known as expert in testosterone-driven action extravaganzas, many of the films starring some of the silver screen´s best-loved slugfest protagonists: Sylvester Stallone (Sheldon shared screenwriting credit with Sly in the third cinematic episode of the Rambo series,...
Partially based upon his experiences in Southeast Asia, he co-authored Tracers, a play seen in the Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago and London stages, to great acclaim; It subsequently won the prestigious Drama Desk and L.A. Drama Critics Awards.
The writing of screenplays seemed like a natural progression and his writing eventually began attracting the attention of many Hollywood producers.
Since then, Lettich has become known as expert in testosterone-driven action extravaganzas, many of the films starring some of the silver screen´s best-loved slugfest protagonists: Sylvester Stallone (Sheldon shared screenwriting credit with Sly in the third cinematic episode of the Rambo series,...
- 11/29/2012
- by Marco
- AsianMoviePulse
Robert Mark Kamen – screenwriter of Taken 2 – is doing the rounds press-wise, and Crave Online asked him about one of his next writing gigs: the remake of 1988′s Bloodsport starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.
The question is: will Jcvd make an appearance in the remake?
The answer is: No.
Kamen’s full answer (italicized) follows the original question (in bold):
“With the new Bloodsport, Van Damme said he wanted to play the coach and the producers weren’t interested. What do you think? Wouldn’t it be awesome to have Van Damme in the new Bloodsport?”:
“This film resembles the original in title only. It has nothing to do with any Kumite contest. It has nothing to do with Frank Dux. If the title was not the same, you would not associate the two films. To use Jcvd would make no sense because the association would be lost as...
The question is: will Jcvd make an appearance in the remake?
The answer is: No.
Kamen’s full answer (italicized) follows the original question (in bold):
“With the new Bloodsport, Van Damme said he wanted to play the coach and the producers weren’t interested. What do you think? Wouldn’t it be awesome to have Van Damme in the new Bloodsport?”:
“This film resembles the original in title only. It has nothing to do with any Kumite contest. It has nothing to do with Frank Dux. If the title was not the same, you would not associate the two films. To use Jcvd would make no sense because the association would be lost as...
- 10/9/2012
- by Matt Granados
- LRMonline.com
Back in August, Jean-Claude Van Damme confirmed that a "Bloodsport" remake was in the work, adding that writer Robert Mark Kamen (The Karate Kid, Taken, The Transporter, The Fifth Element) won't let him make a cameo. Now, while promoting "Taken 2," Kamen spoke about why he doesn't want Van Damme in the reboot. "This film resembles the original in title only," he explained. "It has nothing to do with any Kumite contest. It has nothing to do with Frank Dux. If the title was not the same, you would not associate the two films." Kamen continued: "To use Jcvd would make no sense because the association would be lost as the story has nothing to do with the first one. If anything it would be a distraction. This is a character driven, politically motivated film. It has nothing to do with splits or muscles or grudge matches." It's pretty clear...
- 10/9/2012
- WorstPreviews.com
"Taken 2" scribe Robert Mark Kamen is currently penning the upcoming remake of the 1988 Jean-Claude Van Damme martial arts flick "Bloodsport".
Asked about the project by Crave Online, Kamen says he doesn't believe Van Damme himself should be involved in the project.
"This film resembles the original in title. It has nothing to do with any Kumite contest. It has nothing to do with Frank Dux. If the title was not the same, you would not associate the two films.
To use Jcvd would make no sense because the association would be lost as the story has nothing to do with the first one. If anything it would be a distraction."
Earlier this year, Van Damme expressed interest in returning in a role as a trainer but was aware of Kamen's dissatisfaction with him. At last report Phillip Noyce ("Salt," "Clear and Present Danger") was attached to direct.
Asked about the project by Crave Online, Kamen says he doesn't believe Van Damme himself should be involved in the project.
"This film resembles the original in title. It has nothing to do with any Kumite contest. It has nothing to do with Frank Dux. If the title was not the same, you would not associate the two films.
To use Jcvd would make no sense because the association would be lost as the story has nothing to do with the first one. If anything it would be a distraction."
Earlier this year, Van Damme expressed interest in returning in a role as a trainer but was aware of Kamen's dissatisfaction with him. At last report Phillip Noyce ("Salt," "Clear and Present Danger") was attached to direct.
- 10/9/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
His Taken 2 in theaters now, screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen spoke with CraveOnline about his work on the upcoming remake of the 1988 Bloodsport and explains why he doesn't believe Jean-Claude Van Damme should be involved. "This film resembles the original in title only," he says. "It has nothing to do with any Kumite contest. It has nothing to do with Frank Dux. If the title was not the same, you would not associate the two films. To use Jcvd would make no sense because the association would be lost as the story has nothing to do with the first one. If anything it would be a distraction." Earlier this year, Van Damme spoke with NextMovie about his desire to appear in the remake, voicing his dissatisfaction with Kamen. "I want to be in...
- 10/8/2012
- Comingsoon.net
The Expendables are back in cinemas this month – more muscles, more mayhem, moderate self-awareness.
Part of the appeal of the franchise (can we call it that now?) is that it harks back to how we first got to know a lot of these actors – ridiculous, one-man-army plots, explosions, guns, one-liners and frankly, lots of fun.
Since the sort of guff a lot of these guys churned out around the 80′s (Raw Deal, Over the Top, Cobra, The Punisher, Dark Angel, Code of Silence, Lone Wolf McQuade, Kickboxer, Awol, Red Sonja, Black Eagle etc), they have mostly gone on to bigger and better(?) things. But there is a place for celebrating where these guys have come from, especially since they are playing on that background in gathering them together now.
Rather than try to look back at the critical high points of some of the Expendables (that would be a very...
Part of the appeal of the franchise (can we call it that now?) is that it harks back to how we first got to know a lot of these actors – ridiculous, one-man-army plots, explosions, guns, one-liners and frankly, lots of fun.
Since the sort of guff a lot of these guys churned out around the 80′s (Raw Deal, Over the Top, Cobra, The Punisher, Dark Angel, Code of Silence, Lone Wolf McQuade, Kickboxer, Awol, Red Sonja, Black Eagle etc), they have mostly gone on to bigger and better(?) things. But there is a place for celebrating where these guys have come from, especially since they are playing on that background in gathering them together now.
Rather than try to look back at the critical high points of some of the Expendables (that would be a very...
- 8/31/2012
- by Dave Roper
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
During "The Expendables 2" press conference, Jean-Claude Van Damme was asked whether he will be involved with the rumored "Bloodsport" remake, a 1988 film that made Van Damme a star. The actor confirmed that the film is currently in the works, adding that he would rather play the role of the trainer (Shidoshi) rather than return as Frank Dux. "I want to be in the film as a trainer, [but] I don't think the writer wants [me] to," Van Damme explained. "He knows that 'Bloodsport' is a big film so he wants to get credit with all of that." He continued: "I would love to be in it. It's kind of painful, but maybe they'll change their minds. That would be great because I can still kick better than anybody here today."...
- 8/9/2012
- WorstPreviews.com
Unless you've been stranded on an island somewhere remote, you already know the Mussels from Brussels, Jean-Claude Van Damme, is set to make a comeback as an action star. In just a few weeks, you'll be able to see him on the big screen — for the first time since his very first role in 1986, it'll be (again) as the villain — in "The Expendables 2."
We recently spoke with Jcvd during his "Expendables" press tour, and before we worked through his feelings on being immortalized as a villain, we got a chance to discuss the "Bloodsport" remake. Internet rumors that Van Damme has the blues over the movie are true, it turns out.
"I want to be in the film as a trainer and I don't think the writer wants [me] to ... he knows that 'Bloodsport' is a big film so he wants to get credit with all of that — you know what I'm saying?...
We recently spoke with Jcvd during his "Expendables" press tour, and before we worked through his feelings on being immortalized as a villain, we got a chance to discuss the "Bloodsport" remake. Internet rumors that Van Damme has the blues over the movie are true, it turns out.
"I want to be in the film as a trainer and I don't think the writer wants [me] to ... he knows that 'Bloodsport' is a big film so he wants to get credit with all of that — you know what I'm saying?...
- 8/7/2012
- by Chase Whale
- NextMovie
There’s a decidedly oriental tinge to this year’s Gold Coast Film Festival. Jiang Wen’s extremely successful rice-noodle Chinese comedy western Let The Bullets Fly (which had its premiere at the Brisbane International Film Festival – read my review Here) has been chosen as the opening night film and there’s a ‘Cool Japan’ line-up which features the Australian premieres of Makoto Shinkai‘s (Voice of a Distant Star) exquisitely rendered anime Children Who Chase Lost Voices From Deep Below - a nostalgic and mystical adventure concerning family loss which firmly places the young director in a league with the laudable likes of manga masters Katsuhiro Ohtomo, Mamoru Oshii and Hayao Miyazaki. On the non-animated front we have the welcome return screenings of Anh Hung Tran‘s Sydney Film festival favourite Norweigan Wood and Takashi Miike‘s kinetic Seven Samurai throwback 13 Assassins. Two further manic manga adaptations, Shinsuke Sato...
- 11/21/2011
- by Oliver Pfeiffer
- Obsessed with Film
Kumite! Kumite! The director of Salt will helm a remake of Bloodsport, the stunning action classic that launched Jean-Claude Van Damme’s career. That 1988 was based on Frank Dux’s career in the Kumite. What direction would this remake go in? Variety explains as they talked with its producer Edward Pressman:
Pressman said he expects the script by Robert Mark Kamen to be delivered in about a month’s time. The redo reportedly follows “an Afghanistan war vet, sick of violence, retreating to Brazil, only to be involved in a martial arts contest.”
The picture is budgeted at between $65 million-$75 million, but doesn’t have a distributor lined up just yet. Director Phillip Noyce is currently scouting locations and conducting research in the Brazilian city of Manaus, home of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
“The original Bloodsport was a ring-set tournament,” said Pressman, who described Noyce’s movie to Variety as “more of a road movie,...
Pressman said he expects the script by Robert Mark Kamen to be delivered in about a month’s time. The redo reportedly follows “an Afghanistan war vet, sick of violence, retreating to Brazil, only to be involved in a martial arts contest.”
The picture is budgeted at between $65 million-$75 million, but doesn’t have a distributor lined up just yet. Director Phillip Noyce is currently scouting locations and conducting research in the Brazilian city of Manaus, home of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
“The original Bloodsport was a ring-set tournament,” said Pressman, who described Noyce’s movie to Variety as “more of a road movie,...
- 9/7/2011
- by Jon Peters
- Killer Films
This past Memorial Day, members of The Night Crew podcast were invited to act as panelists and moderators for the annual horror media convention known as Crypticon Seattle.
Held in the SeaTac Hilton and lasting three days, this multi-media event has always delivered the goods as far as vendors, guests, and programming is concerned and this year was no exception. What follows is a day-by-day, hour-by-hour diary of sorts of the events… at least the ones I was involved in.
Friday:
The day is an atypically warm one in Seattle as I arrived at the convention with my crew. We check into the hotel and immediately head out to get our badges. Walking into the exhibition hall, there is already a line of ticket-holders waiting to get in, dressed in the usual horror convention attire of jeans, horror-themed tee-shirts, and costume. We get our badges and I meet up with my Night Crew compatriots,...
Held in the SeaTac Hilton and lasting three days, this multi-media event has always delivered the goods as far as vendors, guests, and programming is concerned and this year was no exception. What follows is a day-by-day, hour-by-hour diary of sorts of the events… at least the ones I was involved in.
Friday:
The day is an atypically warm one in Seattle as I arrived at the convention with my crew. We check into the hotel and immediately head out to get our badges. Walking into the exhibition hall, there is already a line of ticket-holders waiting to get in, dressed in the usual horror convention attire of jeans, horror-themed tee-shirts, and costume. We get our badges and I meet up with my Night Crew compatriots,...
- 6/14/2011
- by Carnell
- DreadCentral.com
Producer Ed Pressman has confirmed with Screen Daily that he has closed a deal with 'Salt' director, Phillip Noyce to direct the upcoming 'Bloodsport' remake. Directed by Newt Arnold, the original starred Jean-Claude Van Damme as Frank Dux, an American martial artist who travels to Hong Kong, China to participate in a deadly martial arts tournament. Bolo Yeung played Chong Li, Frank's toughest and most ruthless opponent. The remake sounds to share a lot of similarities with the original -- as it should -- but the key differences seem to be the back-story and location. The protagonist of the film will once again be an American, but one who travels to Brazil in order to escape the violence he has faced in Afghanistan. From that, it sounds as though he was or is a soldier of sorts. Once in Brazil, he becomes aware of a martial arts tournament,...
- 5/18/2011
- LRMonline.com
Focus. Action. Skill. Strategy. Tactics.
I have no idea why Phillip Noyce, the director of such films as 1992's "Patriot Games" and most recently, "Salt," is interested in rebooting the 1988 Jean Claude Van Damme martial arts flick "Bloodsport." But according to Screen Daily, veteran producer Ed Pressman ("Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps") has closed deals with Noyce to direct and Robert Mark Kamen to write the script.
Kamen, whose previous screenwriting credits include "Taken," "The Transporter," and um, "A Walk in the Clouds," is giving the reboot a modern backstory. This time, our hero, an American, goes to Brazil to chill from the violence he has experienced in Afghanistan, only to face a whole new kind of violence -- a martial arts contest.
The original film, loosely based on the life of martial arts artist Frank Dux (Van Damme), told the tale of the first ever Westerner to eve win...
I have no idea why Phillip Noyce, the director of such films as 1992's "Patriot Games" and most recently, "Salt," is interested in rebooting the 1988 Jean Claude Van Damme martial arts flick "Bloodsport." But according to Screen Daily, veteran producer Ed Pressman ("Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps") has closed deals with Noyce to direct and Robert Mark Kamen to write the script.
Kamen, whose previous screenwriting credits include "Taken," "The Transporter," and um, "A Walk in the Clouds," is giving the reboot a modern backstory. This time, our hero, an American, goes to Brazil to chill from the violence he has experienced in Afghanistan, only to face a whole new kind of violence -- a martial arts contest.
The original film, loosely based on the life of martial arts artist Frank Dux (Van Damme), told the tale of the first ever Westerner to eve win...
- 5/18/2011
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Jean-Claude Van Damme’s 80s martial arts movie Bloodsport is set for a remake, with Phillip Noyce in line to direct…
Remember 1988's Bloodsport? The martial arts classic in which Jean-Claude Van Damme starred as one Frank Dux, and introduced the deadly freestyle fighting tournament, the Kumite?
With an eclectic cast, including Forest Whitaker and Hong Kong legend, Bolo Yeung, Bloodsport was one of those guiltily enjoyable pleasures of 80s action cinema, the kind of film that critics queued up to pour scorn on, but thrilled young Van Damme fans such as myself.
A modest financial hit (it earned almost $12 million on its $1 million budget), Bloodsport is also one of the few films of Van Damme's career that's (loosely) based on a short story. Frank Dux is, in fact, a real-life martial artist, and the film was inspired by his book, The Secret Man: An American Warrior's Uncensored Story.
Remember 1988's Bloodsport? The martial arts classic in which Jean-Claude Van Damme starred as one Frank Dux, and introduced the deadly freestyle fighting tournament, the Kumite?
With an eclectic cast, including Forest Whitaker and Hong Kong legend, Bolo Yeung, Bloodsport was one of those guiltily enjoyable pleasures of 80s action cinema, the kind of film that critics queued up to pour scorn on, but thrilled young Van Damme fans such as myself.
A modest financial hit (it earned almost $12 million on its $1 million budget), Bloodsport is also one of the few films of Van Damme's career that's (loosely) based on a short story. Frank Dux is, in fact, a real-life martial artist, and the film was inspired by his book, The Secret Man: An American Warrior's Uncensored Story.
- 5/18/2011
- Den of Geek
In a truly bizarre, unexpected decision, ScreenDaily says that Phillip Noyce will be directing a remake of Bloodsport for producer Ed Pressman. We had heard that the filmmaker – who is coming off of the Angelina Jolie spy movie Salt - would be directing Hunter Killer, while there were rumors that he’d also work with Nicole Kidman on Wild Life. Where this new project falls for him in terms of importance isn’t entirely clear, although it’s been said that Killer would be his next movie.
The 1988 film starred Jean-Claude Van Damme as Frank Dux, a trained fighter who is also serving in the armed forces. While there, he’s told by two superiors that he can’t attend the Kumite, a dangerous marital arts tournament. He doesn’t listen, though, and takes up the opportunity to compete. The two men go looking for him, while Frank has to face the champion,...
The 1988 film starred Jean-Claude Van Damme as Frank Dux, a trained fighter who is also serving in the armed forces. While there, he’s told by two superiors that he can’t attend the Kumite, a dangerous marital arts tournament. He doesn’t listen, though, and takes up the opportunity to compete. The two men go looking for him, while Frank has to face the champion,...
- 5/17/2011
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
Bloodsport, the craptacular classic from Jean-Claude Van Damme's filmography is about to be 're-invented', says Screen Daily. The 1988 original followed Frank Dux, a martial arts trainee whose about to take part in the sometime lethal tournament, Kumite. The remake, which will be directed by Philip Noyce (Salt, Patriot Games) and written by Robert Mark Kamen (The Fifth Element, Taken, The Transporter), follows an American who after fleeing from the violence of his home country, heads to Brazil only to get caught up in a martial arts contest. No word yet on who will star or when they're looking to shoot, but check back for news... ...that is, if you care about a remake of Bloodsport. ...
- 5/17/2011
- by noreply@blogger.com (Ferg)
- www.themoviebit.com
Frank Dux Redux? Yup. ScreenDaily has news from Cannes that producer Edward Pressman has signed up “Salt’s” Phillip Noyce to direct and “Taken’s” Robert Mark Kamen to write a remake of the 1988 Jean-Claude Van Damme tournament fighting movie “Bloodsport”. For those not familiar with the Jcvd original, it starred the Muscles from Brussels as Frank Dux, an Army guy who goes Awol in order to enter an underground tournament held annually called the Kumite. The movie co-starred Bolo Yeung as the dirty fighter standing in Dux’s way to greatness. The film launched Van Damme’s career, and proved popular enough to spawn three sequels, with Daniel Bernhardt taking over the lead role for all three sequels. “Bloodsport” was a major movie for Van Damme, and as I recall, he went around town promoting the film himself with paper flyers and such. Or at least, that’s what he said during an interview.
- 5/17/2011
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
Screen Daily is reporting that the director of Salt, Phillip Noyce, will helm a remake of the 1988 martial arts classic, Bloodsport. Robert Mark Kamen will pen the script, which will “follow an American who goes to Brazil to recover from the violence he has experienced in Afghanistan who gets involved in a martial arts contest.”
The ’88 Van Damme film, which made the then unknown a huge star, focused on the real events of martial artist Frank Dux. No word on if this remake will. The 1988 film did spawn a few unrelated sequels. Thoughts?...
The ’88 Van Damme film, which made the then unknown a huge star, focused on the real events of martial artist Frank Dux. No word on if this remake will. The 1988 film did spawn a few unrelated sequels. Thoughts?...
- 5/17/2011
- by Jon Peters
- Killer Films
Philip Noyce is to update Jean Claude Van Damme's Bloodsport. The Salt director's new movie will show how a recovering Us soldier who fought in Afghanistan becomes involved in a martial arts contest in Brazil, Screen Daily reports. Van Damme's original film is loosely based on the life of American Ninjutsu fighter Frank Dux, who took part in a clandestine full-contact martial (more)...
- 5/17/2011
- by By Zakia Uddin
- Digital Spy
It's time for the second feature written, directed, and starring the Muscles from Brussels Jean-Claude Van Damme. First we had The Quest, a story he whipped up with the help of Frank Dux (the man Bloodsport was based on). Now there's The Eagle Path. Once called Full Love, this sucker is all-out classic Van Damme with faux serious acting, violence, and of course, the potential love of a sexy woman -- and you can check out a trailer for the film after the jump, courtesy of THR's Heat Vision Blog.
Van Damme plays "Frenchy," a military vet and former mercenary who hides from his past by working as a taxi driver in East Asia. When he picks up a sexy woman one day, he becomes obsessed with the idea of improving her life and decides to do so without her approval. With help from his special ops friends, he sets out to "save" her,...
Van Damme plays "Frenchy," a military vet and former mercenary who hides from his past by working as a taxi driver in East Asia. When he picks up a sexy woman one day, he becomes obsessed with the idea of improving her life and decides to do so without her approval. With help from his special ops friends, he sets out to "save" her,...
- 11/27/2009
- by Monika Bartyzel
- Cinematical
Hollywood hard-man Jean-claude Van Damme is to reprise his role in cult martial arts movie Bloodsport - over twenty years after its original release. The 48-year-old actor confirmed he is working on Bloodsport 2, a follow-up to the 1988 hit which launched him to stardom.
The original film, in which Van Damme's Frank Dux won a deadly fighting tournament, spawned two straight-to-video sequels - yet Van Damme was attached to neither.
And the Timecop star wants to make the new movie a deeper affair.
He tells Total Film, "You know, like, we’re gonna do Bloodsport 2, which was my first movie. And I want to do it now in a very mature way, where the guy from Bloodsport is a complete bum, maybe abusing his son."...
The original film, in which Van Damme's Frank Dux won a deadly fighting tournament, spawned two straight-to-video sequels - yet Van Damme was attached to neither.
And the Timecop star wants to make the new movie a deeper affair.
He tells Total Film, "You know, like, we’re gonna do Bloodsport 2, which was my first movie. And I want to do it now in a very mature way, where the guy from Bloodsport is a complete bum, maybe abusing his son."...
- 2/1/2009
- WENN
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