Jean-Claude Van Damme's 'Kickboxer' Next to Get a Remake

So there are basically two camps when it comes to the cinematic canon of the Mussels from Brussels, Jean-Claude Van Damme. You're either a fan of Bloodsport, in which he jumpkicks a lot of random foreign dudes on the way to victory. Or you're a fan of Kickboxer, in which he jumpkicks a lot of random foreign dudes on the way to victory. Well, the debate as to which film is actually better has just been given a modern twist, because now both films are receiving remakes.

Yesterday we learned that the Bloodsport remake was moving forward with James McTeigue at the helm, and now it'll be Stephen Fung (Tai Chi Zero) directing a Kickboxer update. The original 1989 film had Van Damme as an American in Bangkok who takes up kickboxing to seek revenge against brutal champion Tong Po for paralyzing his brother in a fight. The film was one of Van Damme's biggest hits, and spawned a series of terrible sequels, most of which starred Sasha Mitchell. The remake will be written by TV vets Jim McGrath and Dimitri Logothetis, and as of now there's no word if Van Damme will be associated. Interesting, this is the the third Van Damme film to be slated for a remake this year, along with the sci-fi flick Timecop, and none of them have the actor involved in any way.

Filming on Kickboxer is set to begin later this year or early next, with casting already underway. Here's hoping a Double Impact remake is next, and that if they're going to really remake Kickboxer, they don't leave out this scene....