KICKBOXER Remake in the Works for Director Stephen Fung

[Wangman Page]

The debate over whether Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Bloodsport or Kickboxer is a better movie is about to get a contemporary boost: both films are now slated for remakes. We reported earlier today on the progress of the Bloodsport reboot, landing director James McTeigue (V for Vendetta) at Relativity Media. Now, word has it that Kickboxer is also getting into the ring with a new version to be helmed by Stephen Fung (Tai Chi Zero). The Kickboxer film will be scripted by Jim McGrath and Dimitri Logothetis, and is set up through Radar Pictures, which produced The Last Samurai and Riddick. Casting is now underway and producers are looking towards an early 2014 start. That’s about all we’ve got on the reboot, but hit the jump for a breakdown of Bloodsport vs Kickboxer.

Deadline reports that JCVD’s Kickboxer is also in the works, but the question of which movie is better remains to be seen. You can certainly argue it out in the comments, but here’s a refresher for those of you who need it:

(1988)

Plot:

Frank Dux has entered the “kumiteâ€, an illegal underground martial-arts competition where serious injury and even death are not unknown. In town for the fight are a number of fighters (all with different styles), as well as a journalist determined to get her story. Chong Li, a particularly ruthless and vicious fighter is the favourite

Ratings:

IMDb- 6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes – 33%

Notable Cast:

Jean-Claude Van Damme, Donald Gibb, Forest Whitaker and Bolo Yeung

Notable Scenes:

Various martial arts styles on display
Jackson’s beating at the hands of Chong Li
Crowd cheering Chong Li
Dux’s blind victory over Chong Li

Domestic Box Office Gross: ~$12 million

Sequels: 3, all without JCVD

(1989)

Plot:

Kurt Sloane must learn the ancient kick boxing art of Muay Thai in order to avenge his brother, who was paralyzed in a bout against undefeated champion Tong Po. Sloane also takes on the Thai mafia.

Ratings:

IMDb – 5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes – 63% (users)

Notable Cast:

Jean-Claude Van Damme, Michel Qissi, Haskell V. Anderson III, Dennis Chan and Rochelle Ashana

Notable Scenes:

Brutal opening bout between Tong Po and Sloane’s brother, Eric
Training scenes with Master Xian
A much darker tone than Bloodsport, Kickboxer folds in mobster activity complete with extortion, brutality and rape
The final fight with the questionably-traditional inclusion of bits of glass shards glued to each fighter’s hand-wrappings

Domestic Box Office Gross: ~$15 million

Sequels: 4, all without JCVD (at least in an acting capacity)

Whether you like Bloodsport or Kickboxer better, JCVD always wins.

Honestly neither of them need a remake which will suck ass because both of them were great how they are and I can't think of one person to fill JCVD's role in either of the films. These are probably two of his best films that he has ever done along with Lionheart.