According to DEADLINE Radar Pictures (The Last Samurai, Rid****) has a new vision for Van Damme’s 1989 Kickboxer. With Stephen Fung of TAI CHI ZERO and TAI CHI HERO fame.
I think the AV CLUB said it best . . .
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According to DEADLINE Radar Pictures (The Last Samurai, Rid****) has a new vision for Van Damme’s 1989 Kickboxer. With Stephen Fung of TAI CHI ZERO and TAI CHI HERO fame.
I think the AV CLUB said it best . . .
Some info on Kickboxer...
http://www.sportsnet.ca/mma/ufc/gsp-...sic-kickboxer/
I poached this off of the Bloodsport redux thread. It certainly deserves it's own independent thread now.
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Scott Adkins, Tony Jaa Join WWE Star Dave Bautista in 'Kickboxer'
2:59 PM PST 08/05/2014 by Pamela McClintock
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AP Images/Invision
Scott Adkins
UPDATED: Ted Fields is producing the 3D remake of the 1989 cult classic.
Martial artists Tony Jaa and Scott Adkins have joined the cast of Kickboxer, a 3D remake of the 1989 cult classic. They'll star opposite martial artist Alain Moussi, WWE hero Dave Bautista and UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, who were previously announced.
Moussi is playing the lead in the movie, which will feature more than 20 martial arts disciplines.
Producer Ted Field of Radar Pictures and Brian O'Shea's The Exchange announced the remake earlier this year. Field has been plotting the remake for more than a year, signing Hong Kong filmmaker Stephen Fung to direct. Fung's credits include the wildly popular Chinese martial arts movies Tai Chi Zero (2012) and Tai Chi Hero (2012).
Kickboxer tells the story of David and Kurt Sloan, the descendants of a well-known Venice, California, fighting dynasty. When David wins the Karate World Championship, a promoter lures him to Hong Kong, despite his brother's protestations that the man is a crook. When Kurt travels to Thailand to meet his brother, he discovers he has died and seeks his revenge.
The 1989 film, directed by Mark DiSalle, starred Jean-Claude Van Damme and world kickboxing champion Dennis Alexio.
Bautista is in theaters in Guardians of the Galaxy, while Moussi has worked in several Hollywood event films, including this summer's X-Men: Days of Future Past. Adkins' film credits include The Bourne Ultimatum and The Expendables 2.
"Kickboxer will display a style of acrobatic, rapid-fire martial arts action that Scott Adkins is increasingly becoming synonymous with," O'Shea said. "Along with Tony Jaa, Kickboxer has compiled a talented cast to push the boundaries of the martial arts form."
Dimitri Logothetis and Nick Celozzi are producing the remake alongside Field. Mike Weber and Peter Meyer will executive produce.
Adkins and Jaa are repped by Gersh.
I had heard rumors that Jaa was out. Not sure about Adkins now as he is not listed here.
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Jean-Claude Van Damme to Return for Kickboxer Reboot!
By Silas Lesnick ON
December 1, 2014
There’s good news and bad news today for Kickboxer fans. Unfortunately, previously-announced star Tony Jaa (Ong Bak, Furious 7) has dropped out of the upcoming reboot. Replacing him, however, is none other than original Kickboxer star Jean-Claude Van Damme! JCVD will play an updated version of the original film’s Master Chow.
Directed by Stephen Fung (Tai Chi Zero, Tai Chi Hero), the new Kickboxer follows Eric and Kurt Sloan, descendants of a well-known Venice, California-based family of martial artists. Kurt has always been in older brother, Eric’s shadow, as he lacks the instincts needed to become a champion. But when Kurt witnesses the merciless murder of his brother at the hands of Muay Thai champion Tong Po, he vows revenge. He trains with his brother’s mentor, Xian Chow, for a Muay Thai fight to the death with Tong Po. Chow first thinks Kurt impossible to train, but through a series of spiritual exercises and tests, Chow discovers that Kurt has a deeper strength that will carry him through his final showdown with Tong Po.
Also set to star Alain Moussi (X-Men: Days of Future Past, Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy) and George St. Pierre (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Kickboxer is produced by Ted Field of Radar Films, Dimitri Logthetis and Nick Celozzi. Mike Weber and Peter Meyer are executive producing.
“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 Field. “Audiences better get ready for this incredible reboot. The action is going to be non-stop with never-before seen stunts. Simply put, ‘Kickboxer’ will kick-ass!”
The remake of the 1989 cult classic, Kickboxer started production this week. The film is shooting in New Orleans, Louisiana and Thailand.
We’ve also got our hands on an advance poster for the Kickboxer, which you can check out below:
http://cdn1-www.comingsoon.net/asset...Poster-640.jpg
So am I.
Word is Adkins is out. So is Stephen Fung it seems.Quote:
Gina Carano Joins Kickboxer Reboot
By Silas Lesnick ON
December 8, 2014
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On the heels of word last week announcing that Jean-Claude Van Damme is set to star, the upcoming Kickboxer remake has added Haywire star Gina Carano to its roster of fighting and acting talent. Carano will play a fight promoter in the new take on the 1989 martial arts actioner.
“It will be fun to watch Gina as the sneaky and dangerous temptress, a boa constrictor of this fighting jungle,” says Radar Films’ Ted Field. “Watch out kickboxers!”
Directed by John Stockwell (Cat Run), the new Kickboxer follows Eric and Kurt Sloan, descendants of a well-known Venice, California-based family of martial artists. Kurt has always been in older brother, Eric’s shadow, as he lacks the instincts needed to become a champion. But when Kurt witnesses the merciless murder of his brother at the hands of Muay Thai champion Tong Po, he vows revenge. He trains with his brother’s mentor, Xian Chow, for a Muay Thai fight to the death with Tong Po. Chow first thinks Kurt impossible to train, but through a series of spiritual exercises and tests, Chow discovers that Kurt has a deeper strength that will carry him through his final showdown with Tong Po.
Also set to star Alain Moussi (X-Men: Days of Future Past), Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy), George St. Pierre (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) and Sara Malakul Lane (Sharktopus), Kickboxer is produced by Field alongside Dimitri Logothetis and Nick Celozzi. Mike Weber and Peter Meyer will executive produce as well as Brian O’Shea, Nat McCormick and Jeff Bowler from The Exchange. The Exchange is selling Kickboxer worldwide.
Kickboxer is now in production. The film is shooting in New Orleans, Louisiana and Thailand.
Well, that's discouraging...:(Quote:
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
NOLA 'Kickboxer' Crew Unpaid, Crew Member Says 'Producers Didn't Have The Money'
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The forthcoming remake of director John Stockwell's newly titled Kickboxer: Vengeance remake is one of the most hyped about films going into the new year. Sadly, the film is not without its share of roadbumps, especially pertaining to previous unfortunate news of its casting and crewing as production didn't start until three months after its initial September date.
Now, the word is that up to 200 people and their families in New Orleans, Louisiana have been affected after 150 crew members, mostly local workers, were left unpaid, based on a new report by Katherine Sayre, lead business reporter at Nola.com | The Times Picayune. Crew members initially refused go start work on the film's last day of its New Orleans shoot on December 13 after learning their paychecks wouldn't arrive as they expected, prompting producers to intervene with the promise of payment delivery last Tuesday.
Among several people, Sayre's report also quotes New Orleans-based 39-year film industry veteran and SFX coordinator R. Michael Bisetti, who simply said "The bottom line is, they didn't have the money,". The report also cites prop master Stan Gilbert who says crew members were now forced to pay out-of-pocket to stay on good terms, even though he and other experienced crew were able to attain vendors' services without upfront payment.
The report is a bit perpetual in highlighting an unfortunate pattern involving Radar Pictures' efforts to move the film forward. Martial arts stars Scott Adkins and Tony Jaa had their own reasons for leaving the production earlier this year, aside from Tai Chi 0 and Tai Chi Hero helmer Stephen Fung, who, according to a source formally attached to the production as of a few months ago, says payment was also an issue among some of Fung's other concerns.
In lieu of this week's news pertaining to the New Orleans crew, a lawyer representing the producers of Kickboxer: Vengeance explained that the payment delay "stems from arranging a bridge loan and substitute financing for the production." The report also says check will hopefully arrive to its New Orleans crew this week, preferably before Christmas Day.
It's not easy covering this type of news on a film, especially when it comes to business dealings and the inconveniences that follow when it comes to money. Financing may have been an issue with this film for a long time now, which also explains why filming was slow to start, and I sincerly hope this production isn't marred by any more stifling news. Personally, I'd rather talk about how awesome it will be to see Moussi take on such a high caliber cast that reunites In The Blood director and star John Stockwell and Gina Carano along with Darren Shahlavi, Georges St. Pierre, T.J. Storm, Dave Bautista and superstar Jean Claude Van-Damme in a story full of intense action and drama with the proper thrills any fan of the genre can look forward to.
As things stand however, what's required here is accountability. The economy is still in a major recovery period while American families are still struggling, and the last thing anyone wants to do is to end up working for free and feeling like their labor is unaccounted for. If any lesson is to be learned here, it is that not only MUST you pay the people who work for you, but do so in a timely fashion that represents your professionalism and commitment to the work force wherever you are in the world.
My heart goes out to the crew this week, whose efforts to help make the holidays more enjoyable are now underway with a newly launched Facebook page attributed to the crew. Subscribe to the page and reach out.
Stay tuned for more info and updates.
I'm glad they finally got paid because I would have had to consider boycotting this if they didn't.
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‘Kickboxer’ Crew Members Receive Pay 2 Months Late
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February 10, 2015 | 06:54PM PT
Dave McNary
Film Reporter @Variety_DMcNary
About 180 union crew members on the remake of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s “Kickboxer” have received their pay — two months after the wrap of filming in New Orleans.
Producer Dimitri Logothetis and production accountant Jenna Thornsberry told Variety that all the employees paid as of last week.
Logothetis said the producers, who paid over $500,000 in the late payments, had been surprised by a bridge lender pulling out in December. The failure to pay members of the Intl. Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees provoked a strong response from Mike Miller, president of the union’s motion picture division.
Van Damme joined the reboot of “Kickboxer” after it began shooting in New Orleans, replacing Tony Jaa in the Master Chow role. Logothetis said the film, directed by John Stockwell, will shoot for two more weeks in Thailand this month.
Other producers are Ted Field of Radar Films and Nick Celozzi. Mike Weber and Peter Meyer are executive producing.
The cast includes “Guardians of the Galaxy” actor Dave Bautista, former UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and Alain Moussi (“X-Men: Days of Future Past”).
UPDATE, 9 a.m. PST — Here’s Thormsberry’s email —
Hello All Crew-
I am pleased to announce that we are almost 100% (close to $550,000) paid up on crew payroll, including the wrap week!!!
There are a few minor exceptions and I am currently working on getting corrections done and out. I will be calling all department heads over the next few days to make sure that I am aware of all issues, corrections and re-rates. Due to the mass amounts of emails I have been printing all requests and putting them in a pile that I am currently tackling and have not been responding to each and every one. If you feel that I do not have your issue, please let your department head and me know. After that, all vendor and invoice payments will be coming.
I, personally, appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during this unfortunate situation. For all the shows that have skipped town without paying, I, myself, feel fortunate that this production has and is continuing to make each one of us whole. This may not be anyone’s choice of business practice, but it is where we all find ourselves. I can assure you that, as a local crew member, I am going to continue on this show until all issues have been resolved and all crew and invoices paid.
On behalf of the Producers, they also wish to extend their gratitude for everyone’s patience and understanding. This has been a very difficult situation that everyone wants to see resolved so that we may all continue making movies in this industry.
Jean-Claude Van Damme Recreates His “Kickboxer” Dance Scene
May 11, 2015
CONAN Highlight: The Muscles From Brussels can still kick butt and shake his booty like a boss.
Jean-Claude Van Damme Teaches Conan How To Do Splits
May 12, 2015
Conan just needs a little stretching help from JCVD before he can split like a pro.
Changing the title from "Kickboxer Remake" to "Kickboxer: Vengeance (Kickboxer remake)"
Quote:
Posted by: Matt McGloin
16 hours 22 min ago
FIRST LOOK AT DAVE BAUTISTA, GINA CARANO & JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME IN KICKBOXER REMAKE
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Check out first look images for Kickboxer: Vengeance, the remake of the 1989 classic.
The film has a 2016 release date directed by John Stockwell starring Dave Bautista, Gina Carano, Georges St Pierre and Alain Moussi.
Synopsis:
Eric and Kurt Sloane are the descendants of a well-known Venice, California-based family of martial artists. Kurt has always been in older brother, Eric's shadow, as he lacks the instincts needed to become a champion. Against Kurt's concerns, Eric accepts a paid offer and travels to Thailand to challenge the Muay Thai champion Tong Po and fails with dire consequences. Kurt sets out for revenge. He trains with his brother's mentor, Durand, for a Muay Thai fight against the merciless champion, Tong Po. Durand first thinks Kurt is impossible to train, but through a series of spiritual exercises and tests, Durand discovers that Kurt has a deeper strength that will carry him through his final showdown with Tong Po.
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Kickboxer Retaliation
So far, this is Hafthor Julius Björnsson, Alain Moussi and JCVD. No word on Gina, GSP, Velasquez or Bautista.
continued next postQuote:
Doing some ‘Van Dammage’: ‘Kickboxer’ reboot breathes new life into classic 80s flick
By Prae Sakaowan March 28, 2016 / 17:12 ICT
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Alain Moussi takes over the role of Kurt Sloane while Tong Po is played by WWE performer Dave Bautista. Photo: Kickboxer: Vengeance
It’s been almost three decades since Jean-Claude Van Damme shot to fame and the success of 80s classic action movie “Kickboxer” propelled the art of Muay Thai to international prominence.
In its 2016 reboot “Kickboxer: Vengeance,” the Muscles from Brussels makes a welcome reappearance, but this time he returns as “Master Durand,” the mentor of his original character, Kurt Sloane.
The remake is expected to hit theaters in September and bring back the glory of the 80s movie that little boys around the world worshipped back then.
“People who see Kickboxer: Vengeance will realize that Jean-Claude can still move: that ‘Van Dammage’ is definitely in evidence,” said producer Gary Wood, the former Martial Outlaw actor who now lives in Thailand, in an interview with Coconuts.
Meanwhile, the lead role of Kurt Sloane will be taken over by newcomer Alain Moussi, a former stuntman who has some resemblance to a young Van Damme, even working as his double in previous movies.
http://bangkok.coconuts.co/sites/ban...e/img_2097.jpg
From the left: Gary Wood, Alain Moussi, and Tommy Tang. Photo: Courtesy of Tommy Tang
While many actors could have had problems making the shift to another role, the producers agreed Van Damme was cool and graceful about it.
“He accepted the new kid in town. He embraced him,” said Tommy Tang, the Thai-American celebrity chef-turned-producer.
Canadian Moussi, who has had a few minor acting roles as well as 38 film credits as a stuntman, including a stint in “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” will finally make his debut as a leading man.
http://bangkok.coconuts.co/sites/ban...?itok=dzmSUaI8
A perfectly delivered and blocked kick between Alain Moussi and Jean-Claude Van Damme. Photo: Kickboxer: Vengeance
Having a real stuntman starring in the film, alongside other celebrated Muay Thai, UFC and MMA champions, meant that there were no stunt doubles in the remake: the fight scenes you see on screen are genuine, boasted the producers.
“There are no wires in this film. Every physical thing that you see in ‘Kickboxer: Vengeance’ is the real thing. There's no green screen,” Wood said.
“In fact, he [Moussi] did a lot of crazy things.”
Tang described one fight sequence where Moussi declined to use a crash mat so that the shot would look more authentic. The actor ended up landing on a concrete pavement, scraping a layer of skin off his body. Ouch.
“He's tough. Otherwise we wouldn’t have got the shot.” Tang said.
Wood added: “He's the real thing. Alain Moussi is a gifted, special person. He’s kind, sweet and spiritual. His approach to martial arts contains all the most honorable aspects that can be frequently absent [in other people].”
There is no doubt that Moussi’s martial art skills will live up to fans’ expectations, but who can forget Van Damme’s iconic “American dance” from the original movie? Can Moussi replicate that successfully?
The producers said they “could not talk about it,” when asked if and how the iconic scene would appear, but Moussi has certainly been practicing, judging from the moves he showed us at the Kickboxer press conference last year.
As well from Moussi, the film features a roster of fighters and stunt-turned actors including UFC champion Georges St-Pierre, Sam Medina (“Olympus has Fallen”), MMA fighter Gina Carano (“Fast & Furious 6,” “Deadpool”) and WWE performer Dave Bautista (“Guardians of the Universe,” “Spectre”) who will play main baddie and Muay Thai master “Tong Po,” the madman fighter who kills Kurt’s brother in the ring.
“Most martial arts film are all actors acting like martial artists, but in this one they're martial artists, acting like actors,” Tang summed up.
Will “Kickboxer: Vengeance” be a success?
“We’re optimistic. But the universe has its way of slapping you in the face,” Wood joked.
While it is too soon to judge, the filmmakers must be confident because they have already jumped into making a sequel “Kickboxer: Retaliation,” which will also be filmed in Thailand in May and released in theaters next year.
I wonder how wide this release will be...Quote:
True beauty of Thailand and quality tourism?
http://bangkok.coconuts.co/sites/ban...?itok=D2avtq38
Photo: Kings Road Entertainment
In the original movie, Kurt followed Eric, his overtly-confident fighter brother, to Thailand on a quest to defeat Tong Po.
But before all the fighting, their first stop after a typical tuk tuk ride was the infamous Soi Patpong. Just five minutes into the movie, Eric got himself a hooker in front of a real go-go bar, Kangaroo Club.
Hopefully Thai fans will watch the reboot and walk out of theaters with a bigger sense of pride in their country, after Tang, who previously said the original movie failed to show the “true beauty of Thailand,” stressed that the remake would be different.
“Kickboxer: Vengeance will show some beautiful shots and clean looks of Thailand in Bangkok, Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi,” Tang said.
“The background [of the fights in the movie] are old temples. People will see the locales [of Thailand] and come visit.”
Wood added: “We're showing the most beautiful portraits of the country that will fit the story.”
After all, things have changed since the original film was released 26 years ago, in the age before the internet and budget airlines, when the world’s knowledge of Thailand was limited to two things: brothels and temples.
http://bangkok.coconuts.co/sites/ban...?itok=la_yY4mU
Photo: Kings Road Entertainment
The original movie failed miserably to faithfully represent the iconic locations it used. Although the real name of the Bangkok brothel was used, ancient Ayutthaya temples Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Ratchaburana were renamed in the movie to “Stone City,” a fictional location where warriors like Van Damme came to practice their kicks — an easily-digestible storyline designed for Hollywood and Western audiences.
The filmmakers also noted that the reboot features more Thais in the movie than the original, as part of efforts to present the country more faithfully and win support from the local audience.
While zero Thai performers landed a speaking role in the original, not even as extras, Tang said about 200 Thai crew and actors feature in the remake.
It’s safe to say that every character in the film that is supposed to be Thai in the movie is actually played by a Thai — including Kurt’s love interest “Mylee,” who will played by Thai-English actress Sara Malakul Lane, the former soap star.
http://bangkok.coconuts.co/sites/ban.../kb.group_.jpg
Cast members struck the 'iconic' kickboxer pose at the press conference on July 1, 2015. From the left: Sam Medina, Sara Malakul Lane, Alain Moussi and Georges St-Pierre
Sara, who escaped submissive leading-lady roles in Thai soaps to Hollywood, will not “bleed like Mylee” in the original. The new Mylee role has been rewritten as an international kickass cop instead of a grocery store owner whose most important role in the story was making dinner and getting raped by the villain.
Speaking of Thai talent, another name thrown around during the production of the first film was Tony Jaa, who was approached for the reboot but was unavailable.
The producers ruled out Jaa making an appearance in “Kickboxer: Retaliation,” but did confirm that the sequel would feature an even bigger cast than “Vengeance.”
While it is too soon to tell how accurately Thailand will be represented, Tang at least hopes the modern version will make Thai filmmakers realize they have great resources, adding that many Hollywood films shot in Southeast Asia use Thai crews because of their awesome skills.
“The movie will help a lot of Thai producers and directors see that they can do this. They're more than capable. If they [Thai people] can do it for Hollywood, they can do it for a Thai film,” he said.
“But they need a good writer,” he joked.
Wood added: “Awesome movies are made in the Philippines and in other areas of Asia, but I think the most skilled people making movies in Asia are the Thais.”
The two producers are currently scouting locations for the sequel. They refused to tell Coconuts where, explaining that prices could be jacked up due to publicity. But Tang hinted that we’d get to see more rural areas and ensure that the Tourism Authority of Thailand would get some much-needed advertising.
“Film or television is the best advertising you can get to promote a country,” Tang said.
“The idea is that we will try to see how we can promote the country without mass commercialization. Audience will see the parts [of Thailand] they didn't know existed. Tourists will come and go to the rural areas.”
The producers said the filmmakers decided to shoot in Thailand mostly due its beauty, but said the government needs to step up their game and provide bigger tax incentives in order to compete with other Asian countries.
“Giving incentives will be a quick buck for Thailand because it will help TAT for hundreds of years. As long as people click in to see this [the movie], they see Thailand,” said Tang.
“After we're long dead, the films will still be here.”
Kickboxer: Vengeance is scheduled to be released in US theaters in September 2016. The movie is expected to debut in Thailand by the end of the year.
Additional reporting by Sofia Mitra-Thakur
Check out Alain Moussi’s dance and more of Sara Malakul Lane in Coconuts TV’s recap from the last year’s press conference of “Kickboxer: Vengeance.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=503ujU-sv4U
It will probably go straight to DVD.
I can't really say I'm interested in seeing this. And IMO, the Thais have pretty much lost all the momentum they were building up several years ago in MA/action films. Jeeja Yanin's first two films (especially the first one) were a great start, but then her movies went downhill, then apparently to zilch. Tony Jaa, IMO, is no longer putting out stuff to look forward to. Skin Trade was awful, as was the one before that...I can't even remember the title. Was it The Protector II?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSzJUeZ072E
It's listed on ComingSoon.net for a theatrical release on Sep 2.
...did NOT expect that. :)
This opens next week.
Quote:
Film Review: ‘Kickboxer: Vengeance’
Dennis Harvey
Film Critic
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COURTESY OF RLJ ENTERTAINMENT
AUGUST 22, 2016 | 05:04PM PT
The Muscles From Brussels now mentors a young fighter in this remake of the 1989 action fave.
After a summer notable for many expensive action-movie disappointments in which even concepts traditionally associated with hands-on stuntwork (i.e. “The Legend of Tarzan”) were overwhelmed by CGI, there’s something refreshing about the admittedly dopey but good-natured, straightforward mano a mano of “Kickboxer: Vengeance.” This de facto remake of the 1989 martial arts favorite, with Jean-Claude Van Damme returning a quarter century later (albeit this time as the hero’s wise elder trainer), improves on the boilerplate original without really changing its essentials.
This revamp (which ignores several interim direct-to-video sequels Van Damme did not participate in) is a bit shorter, a tad more stylish, and utilizes the same clichés a little less ponderously. Brainiacs need not apply to this otherwise unreconstructed testosterone-a-thon, but of its type, “Vengeance” is well-crafted good fun — and good proof that you don’t need more than two hours or $100 million to give ticket buyers their money’s worth in popcorn thrills.
A high-water mark for its undistinguished co-directors Mark DiSalle and David Worth, the original film was only JCVD’s third starring vehicle (following some bit parts and a couple fighting villain roles), and despite ****ing reviews was a considerable box-office success. Viewed today, it’s a slick if generic B-plus-grade endeavor whose script and presentation attain an almost “MacGruber”-esque perfection of 1980s tuff-guy cinema stereotypes. Raising it all a notch was the undeniable athletic appeal of “the Muscles from Brussels,” a handsome and personable natural screen presence, if not one blessed with great acting range.
Representing actor turned director John Stockwell’s most prominent endeavor since the vacation-spot mellers “Blue Crush,” “Into the Blue,” and “Turistas” over a decade ago, “Kickboxer: Vengeance” opens with some gorgeous aerial shots of rural Thailand that herald its technical superiority to the competent but uninspired original. (That extends to the dexterity with which a film largely shot around New Orleans passes for being almost entirely set in Southeast Asia.) The basic narrative is unchanged, although Dimitri Logothetis and Jim McGrath’s script juggles things chronologically so the original’s early progress is framed as a flashback sprung after an opening sequence.
Otherwise, it’s still the same revenge-driven tale: After his “global karate champion” older brother Eric (Darren Shahlavi) foolishly accepts a lucrative offer from shady ex-girlfriend Marcia (Gina Carano) to fight a “no rules” bout in Bangkok, Kurt Sloane (Alain Moussi) witnesses his sibling killed at the hands of hulking Muay Thai fighter Tong Po (Dave Batista). This is apparently a normal outcome for such illegal underground matches, whose high-stakes gambling spectators expect death or at least grievous bodily harm for their cash. Local police are strangely indifferent to Kurt’s insistence on an investigation; indeed, they try deporting him when he gets too pushy.
Attempting to take justice into his own hands, he infiltrates Po’s countryside lair, posing as yet another foreign fighter eager to be trained by the master. But he’s swiftly found out and saved by Liu (Sara Malakul Lane), a lone non-corrupt Thai Royal Police detective. Valuing him as the only eye witness willing to come forward about his brother’s death, let alone the whole illegal-death-match syndicate, she deposits him for safekeeping with the surly, reluctant Master Durand (Van Damme). Eric soon realizes only the latter can train him sufficiently to challenge Po.
At heart, “Kickboxer: Vengeance” is nothing more sophisticated than one long training montage bookended by big fights, with a few additional action sequences (including one involving elephants and ninjas) thrown in along the way. But the packaging is deft enough to at least partially camouflage that simplicity, with director and screenplay thankfully leaving little room for the kind of on-the-nose dialogue and other factors that made the original’s formulaic nature all too plain. With the film’s support cast inevitably dominated by fighters in various disciplines drawn from the UFC and other arenas, there’s more than enough emphasis on one-on-one combat here to satisfy those who rate such entertainments solely in terms of that content. (Which is also the reason the ’89 “Kickboxer” remains well-loved, despite its shortcomings.)
Needless to say, character complexity and acting finesse are not in high demand here, though everyone acquits themselves well enough, one minor but irritating exception being Sam Medina as a ring MC with the manner of an overbearing carny barker. The handsome Moussi, who’s primarily worked as a stuntman before, makes an affable protagonist with a convenient vague resemblance to his name co-star (though he’s considerably taller).
JCVD himself is allowed to be a little too cool for school, as he rarely doffs shades or pork pie hat — though when he does finally shrug off his shirt, there’s no question who would win the “Lowest Body Fat Ratio” prize amongst 55-year-olds worldwide. Perhaps already-in-production sequel “Kickboxer: Retaliation” (which adds Christopher Lambert and Mike Tyson to the mix) will let him show a little more humor, though there’s a nice in-joke bit where Master Durand is markedly unimpressed by Moussi demonstrating his own one-time specialty, the splits.
Otherwise, “Vengeance” shows a reasonable light touch, though it’s disappointing when a bar scene teases yet does not turn into a reprise of the ’89 edition’s most fondly remembered scene, in which a drunken Van Damme demonstrated his booty-centric “disco dancing” skills. All the more clever, then, that Stockwell springs a closing-credits surprise that is sure to send audiences out smiling.
Film Review: 'Kickboxer: Vengeance'
Reviewed online, San Francisco, Aug. 8, 2016. (In Fantasia Film Festival.) Running time: 90 MIN.
Production
An RLJ Entertainment release of a Radar Pictures, Acme Rocket Fuel production, in association with Headmon Productions, The Exchange. Producers: Dimitri Logothetis, Rob Hickman, Allen Knudson, Samuel Cory Timpson, Nicholas Celozzi, Ted Field. Executive producers: Larry Nealy, Steven Michael Swadling, Peter Meyer, Lee Williams, Benjamin Friedberg, Mike Weber, Lisette Ross, Thomas Van Dell, Rick Morse, Brian O’Shea, Nat McCormick, Jeff Bowler, David Bautista, Jonathan Meisner, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Alastair Burlingham, Anders Erden, Tim Smith, Ken Nutley, Stephen Cagnazzi, Scott Rudmann, Benjamin Friedberg, Jim Finkl, Alexander Tabrizi.
Crew
Director: John Stockwell. Screenplay: Dimitri Logothetis, James McGrath. Camera (color, widescreeen, HD): Mateo Londono. Editors: Chris A. Peterson, Carsten Kurpanek.
With
David Baustista, Gina Carano, Cain Velasquez, Fabricio Werdum, Sara Malakul Lane, Alain Moussi, Georges St-Pierre, Jean-Claude Van Damme, T.J. Storm, Sam Medina, Hawn Tran, Matthew Ziff. (English, Thai dialogue)
Read Interview with Alain Moussi on KICKBOXER: VENGEANCE by david j. moore.
This reboot is all about JCVD who steals the show from a stable of MMA fighters that are 2 decades his junior. Cain, Werdum, & GSP are mostly negligible and Gina is completely wasted (she plays a villainous promoter so has no fight scenes.) Newcomer Moussi in the lead is in great shape - heck they are all in great shape. This is a pec, gun and washboard show - borderline ****erotically so. There's one other female character other than Gina, a hot cop love interest who does a short topless love scene but that in no way makes up for all the beefcake. Bautista is the villain, doing what he always does.
The fights are plentiful with lots of gratuitous blood spitting. The sequences aren't long, mostly one move, one cut, but Moussi pulls off some crazy aerial kicks. He has skills and potential. And there are swordfights, even a swordfight finale, which gets a little dumb because once the sword are dropped, no one bothers to pick them up again even though they are in reach in the shots.
Thailand is shown off fairly well, except the whole underground fight scene is dumb like usual. The fight-to-the-death spectators are casually attired and only one row deep. And Thailand has a great fight scene - you can watch Muay Thai anywhere. It bugged me that in this film, they called it Muay Thai and didn't observe the traditional bows or music. Plus Muay Thai is a modern sport. The lethal stuff is Muay Boran and the sword work is Krabi Krabong. The filmmakers went to the effort of having a lot of dialog in Thai, you'd think they'd do just a tad more research.
This franchise already has a sequel in the works. I'll watch that if JCVD is on board. I've really grown to admire JCVD. When he first started out, he annoyed me. But now, he's aged really well, matured like good cheese. He even dominates the end credit dance scene which Moussi tries to spoof (if you've seen the original, you know).
Kickboxer remake & Pacquiao vs MayweatherQuote:
SEPTEMBER 08, 2017 3:11pm PT by Ashley Cullins
Hollywood Docket: 'Kickboxer' Trial; Pacquaio Lawsuit Knock-out; Filmchella Fight
http://cdn2.thr.com/sites/default/fi...s-92702548.jpg
Lester Cohen/WireImage
A roundup of entertainment law news.
Movie mogul Ted Field is set to stand trial next week in a legal fight over a $500,000 loan he solicited for a remake of Kickboxer, the 1989 film starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Central Films Media, run by Fernando Sulichin (Snowden), sued Field and Radar Pictures in 2015, and early this year added fraud claims, alleging that it issued a bridge loan for the film after Field was "extremely aggressive" in soliciting the money and that he breached their agreement by failing to repay the loan on time.
In a trial brief filed Thursday, Central Films attorney Mathew Rosengart calls field a "self-proclaimed former billionaire, but now serial fraudster."
During Field's deposition, which Rosengart notes the court had to compel, he testified that there was still $375,000 outstanding on the loan. The filing also notes that the mogul's attorney Jonathan Freund told The Hollywood Reporter in January that "[Sulichin] is going to get paid. The film was profitable."
On Friday, Freund told THR "the contractual obligation has been fully satisfied."
The initial loan aside, Central Films is also pursuing punitive damages of at least $1.5 million, arguing that Field has been defrauding people with malice. "Field's scheme to bilk investors with callous disregard for their rights is part of a pattern, and the time has come for Field and his company Radar Pictures ... to be punished for their misconduct," Rosengart writes.
Central Films is also asking the court to hold Field personally liable for the alleged conduct, arguing that he "exercised complete control over Radar" and the two are "in effect, one and the same." (The full brief is posted below.)
Field's Jumanji sequel is set to be released in December, and he currently has several other producing projects in the works including an adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
The bench trial before Judge Gerald Rosenberg is set to begin Monday.
In other entertainment legal news:
— Filmchella founder Trevor Simms is fighting back against a trademark lawsuit filed by Coachella organizers that accuses his new film fest of trying to capitalize on the famous music event's name. Simms, who's currently representing himself, filed an opposition to Coachella's preliminary injunction request on Tuesday. He argues there is no likelihood of confusion because Coachella doesn't engage in film-related activities — and he notes that there are "hundreds of businesses" in the Coachella Valley that use "Coachella" or "Chella" in their names. Simms also argues that Coachella can't support a claim of irreparably injury, whereas an injunction stopping his late-September event would "would be costly with respect to time, money and resources of the venues, promoters, filmmakers, and fans involved." A hearing is set for Sept. 25. (Read the opposition here, and Simms' declaration here.)
— The nationwide class action lawsuits filed by angry boxing fans and bar owners who claimed Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao hid Pacq’s shoulder injury ahead of their highly anticipated 2015 fight has been knocked out of court by a California federal judge. On Aug. 25, U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner dismissed the multidistrict litigation finding fans had "no legally protected interest or right to see an exciting fight, a fight between two totally healthy and fully prepared boxers, or a fight that lived up to the significant pre-fight
hype." (Read the decision here.)
— The Barbershop franchise has cut itself loose from a copyright infringement lawsuit. Ronald Dickerson, also known as JD Lawrence, sued MGM, Warner Bros. and Showtime in 2016 alleging that the Barbershop films and TV series infringe his copyright in a stage play called Scissors. The studios successfully shut down a proposed injunction that would have preempted the release of Barbershop: The Next Cut and then moved for the case to be dismissed in October. U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain on Tuesday sided with the studios, finding the works are not substantially similar. (Read the decision here.)