Harmony Jones
Jean-Claude Van Damme is returning to the “Kickboxer” franchise.
The Beglium actor, who played the lead role in the 1989 original, has joined the cast of the remake. This time, however, he’ll play the mentor to the title character.
The Hollywood Reporter says Van Damme has agreed to replace Tony Jaa, who was initially set to play the role of Master Chow, the man who teaches Kurt Sloan (Alain Moussi) the art of kickboxing. Dennis Chan played the role in the original.
Dave Bautista (“Guardians of the Galaxy”) plays Tong Po, the ruthless martial-artist responsible for the death of Sloan’s brother.
“We are so excited to have Kickboxer roll into production and to have JCVD in the role of Master Chow, passing the torch to Alain, to have him lead the franchise to a new generation ” said Ted Field of Radar Films, who is producing the movie with Dimitri Logothetis and Nick Celozzi. Logothetis and Jim McGrath wrote the script.
“Kickboxer” begins shooting this week in New Orleans, before moving on to Thailand.
