The resiliency of horror franchises is only matched by martial arts flicks, which can seemingly go on forever as long as there are more dudes in need of being jumpkicked into oblivion. Take the upcoming reboot Kickboxer: Vengeance, which brings back original star Jean Claude Van Damme in a completely different role, alongside Dave Bautista, Gina Carano, and Alain Moussi. The Dean Stockwell-directed film isn't even out yet and already a sequel is in the works with a literal heavyweight star ready to do some damage.
Former World Heavyweight Champion "Iron" Mike Tyson has joined Kickboxer: Retaliation, which will be directed by 'Vengeance' writer and producer Dmitri Logothetis. Tyson joins the returning Moussi, Van Damme, and new addition Hafthor Julius Bjornsson (aka The Mountain on Game of Thrones) who will play the villain. Mixed martial artist and recent "Dancing with the Stars" competitor Paige VanZant also has a role.
Tyson will play a convicted prisoner forced into the world of fighting. It's the second recent martial arts flick for Tyson as he traded punches with Donnie Yen in Ip Man 3. [Variety]
