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My apologies on my lack of production these past few weeks as my new position at work has been a grind but I’m trying to pull through it and even though this particular bit of news is a few days old, who would I be if I didn’t talk about it. Basically, it amounts to another to remake or not to remake and if you ask 99% of action cinema faithful it would be the latter, but it appears that the long dormant attempt to reboot Jean-Claude Van Damme’s iconic introduction into martial arts action is finally getting some traction. Whether we want it or not.
Reports coming from the trades has announced that the movie studio A24 is looking to center the ring for a potential remake of JCVD’s Bloodsport. I know, I know but love it or not, it looks like it is actually going to happen and if it is done right and with the essential care given to the IP and fanbase then I’m all for it. Look, you can love the original and like the new one I always say but there will be toxicity from this one guaranteed.
Before everyone throws their arms up in despair, it’s important to note that A24 is in active negotiations to acquire the rights to do the film in the first place. They probably will unless something drastically goes awry but it is not a done deal yet.
There have been several attempts to resuscitate the franchise over the years including 2011 when Phillip Noyce (Dead Calm) was attached to helm what was called a “reinvention,” of the hit movie which hailed from a script from none other than The Karate Kid creator Robert Mark Kamen. Then in 2013, James McTeigue (V for Vendetta) replaced Noyce in the director’s chair which signaled trouble as when crew changes of this magnitude usually happen. Needless to say, that movie never went in front of the cameras. The biggest jolt for a remake or reboot arrived in 2019, there when John Wick directors David Leitch and Chad Stahelski threw their hats into the ring to make a proper Bloodsport redo. That’s the one that got a lot of people excited because we all know all too well what those two gentlemen can do together when it comes to action design. I was one of those excited but alas it never materialized so here we are today. Here is my actual article for that bit of news when it first hit.
Now this report comes from industry insider Jeff Sneider of The InSneider so take this all with a grain of salt as of now. It would also appear that A24 which is starting to switch over to more mainstream films than the artsy ones they have been known for and is trying to get the rights to do the film which would be a slam dunk for their efforts. A24 is best known for smaller indie fair like Ex Machina, The Witch but they did strike Oscar gold with their lively action fantasy comedy Everything Everywhere All at Once which starred Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan who both won an Oscars for their roles. A24 has released the authentic war picture Warfare this weekend and it is being heralded as one of the best military war films in years.
I’m fine with A24 doing this if they follow my recipe for success. Hire a director similar to the two John Wick pros that were once attached to helm the pic. Hire a cast that is talented in both drama and action so the adrenaline segments can be shot without heavy editing or stunt people and treat the source material with the upmost respect. Oh, and hire a truly talented action designer who can implement fights onscreen that are worthy of the name Bloodsport. That’s it. Simple. Concise and legit. In terms of hiring a lead actor to take over the coveted role from Van Damme. Well, all I’ll say is paging Mr. Adkins. Mr. Adkins please pick up the white courtesy phone. That is all and we shall see what transpires from al, of this.
Be on the lookout for a special podcast dedicated for the Bloodsport reboot in the future. I have more to say on the subject… Oh, and one more thing, of course I saw the posting of Van Damme celebrating Steven Seagal’s birthday this week. My thoughts on that are coming as well as that is just too juicy to pass up.
