Oh, don’t act so surprised. Those of you with a good memory will recall that about two years ago, talk of a “Bloodsport” remake burbled up with Phillip Noyce (“Patriot Games,” “Salt,” “Clear And Present Danger“) was set to direct a “reinvention” of the Jean-Claude Van Damme classic. And then nothing was heard about it again…until today. Yes, “Bloodsport” is coming again to take you to the mat, but with a different name at the helm.
James McTeigue (“V For Vendetta,” “Ninja Assassin“) is now slated for the redo, but the story remains the same. The project has a script from the long-attached Robert Mark Kamen (“The Fifth Element,” “Taken,” “Columbiana“) and the story will follow an American who rolls in with Brazilian Vale Tudo fighting. Previously, the lead was also going to be a veteran from Afghanistan, but no word if those elements are still in play. Mostly, the key element is JCVD, and without him this is just another kickboxing movie. But we’ll see if they can make it live for a new generation.
Cameras are getting set to roll in early 2014 in Australia and Rio de Janeiro, perhaps in a bid to rack up air miles. Matté! [Variety]