The long-awaited reboot sequel to a martial arts action franchise that first started way back in 1989 and with genre icon Jean-Claude Van Damme in the lead is all set to start filming this month. And, while Van Damme’s involvement in the latest outing in what’s become an unexpectedly long-running franchise is currently unconfirmed, the follow-up has amassed a stellar cast of action heroes, recently swapping out one John Wick star for another.
The next installment in the Kickboxer franchise, Kickboxer: Armageddon, will once again follow Alain Moussi (King of Killers, Jiu Jitsu) as the vengeful martial artist Kurt Sloane. While reports had previously revealed that John Wick: Chapter 4 star and action icon Scott Adkins would join the fray, this is sadly no longer the case. However, there is good news as, instead, John Wick: Chapter 3 star and fellow action legend Mark Dacascos will return to the series after last appearing way back in 1995’s Redemption: Kickboxer 5.
Kickboxer: Retaliation director Dimitri Logothetis returns for another round with Kickboxer: Armageddon, and the sequel has finally been given a filming update. Principal photography “will take place in Dublin and Wicklow from October 27 to November 21,” according to The Cinemaholic, who have also revealed that the action sequel will follow Kurt Sloane, “whose life is turned upside down after an explosion meant to kill him kills his wife and baby. With nothing left to lose and bent on vengeance, he enters the underground fight scene of Malaysia to train.”
Further details claim the man he’s hunting is none other than the twin brother of Master Durand (the character played by Van Damme) who leads “a sadistic cult.” While Adkins was reportedly in line to play Durand’s brother, surely them being twins is the perfect excuse to bring Van Damme back to the franchise he kick-started decades ago. However, recent allegations could put a stop to this.
The ‘Kickboxer’ Franchise Is a Must-See for Martial Arts Action Fans
Based on the 1980s action franchise which began way, way back in 1989 with the first Kickboxer, which stars Jean-Claude Van Damme as Kurt Sloane a young man out for revenge, the Kickboxer franchise is now made up of several sequels starring different action movie leads.
Led by actor, stunt performer, and martial artist Alain Moussi as Sloane, the recent reboot trilogy began with 2016’s Kickboxer: Vengeance and brings back Van Damme as a different character, Master Durand, who teaches Sloane the ways of the warrior. Featuring the likes of Dave Bautista, Gina Carano, and Georges St-Pierre, 2018’s Kickboxer: Retaliation adds even more fan-favorite names to the roster, including Game of Thrones star Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, Highlander’s Christopher Lambert, and Mike Tyson.
While losing the undeniable talents of Scott Adkins from Kickboxer: Armageddon hits like a kick to the chest, bringing Mark Dacascos back is an exciting development, and will give the B-movie legend the chance to shine once again following recent roles in the likes of Warrior, Blade of the 47 Ronin, and the John Wick franchise.
- Release Date
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January 26, 2018
- Runtime
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110 minutes
- Director
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Dimitri Logothetis
- Producers
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Bey Logan, Nicholas Celozzi, Phil Hunt, Alan Pao, Compton Ross, Jeff Bowler, Luke Daniels, Gary Wood, Robert Hickman, Nat McCormick, Steven Swadling, Larry Nealy, Jay Strommen
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Christophe Lambert
Thomas Moore
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