Following Prime Video’s successful remake of Road House, A24 is looking to get in the business of reviving iconic action flicks, too. According to TheInSneider, A24 is negotiating for the rights to remake the Jean-Claude Van Damme classic, Bloodsport.
Released in 1988, Bloodsport starred Van Damme as Army Colonel Frank Dux, who enters a dangerous underground martial arts tournament to defeat the villainous champion, Chong Li. The film was an instant hit and helped establish Van Damme as one of the greatest screen fighters of the era. It spawned three sequels, none of which starred Van Damme.
A24 plans a complete reboot with a new young actor for the lead role, and an “elevated” director to bring the action to life.
This isn’t the first time a Bloodsport remake has been discussed. Back in 2011, Philip Noyce was attached to direct a reinvention, but he left and James McTeigue took over. Neither version ever happened.
Another Van Damme cult classic franchise, Kickboxer, was rebooted in 2016 with Van Damme attached. The two movies that sprung from that were excellent, in my opinion.
I would’ve been pissed over this news years ago but now I’m hopeful they do a good job. It’s going to be very interesting to see who is cast. You need a seasoned fighter for Bloodsport, someone who is credible out there, otherwise the whole thing falls apart.
