“Kickboxer” Japanese Theatrical Poster
Although martial arts icon Jean-Claude Van Damme (aka the most re-made action star in the world) has been consistently keeping busy for the last several years, he hasn’t exactly made anything “memorable” since 2009’s Universal Soldier: Regeneration and 2012’s Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning.
In the 2013-2015 period came Swelter, Enemies Closer, Welcome to the Jungle, Jian Bing Man and Pound of Flesh. The years 2016/2017 saw Kickboxer: Vengeance, Kill ’em All and the series Jean-Claude Van Johnson. Then in 2018-2021, came Black Water, The Bouncerm, Kickboxer: Retaliation, We Die Young and the Netflix original, The Last Mercenary.
Even though these titles were a welcome addition to his filmography, Van Damme fans are really yearning for a real “last hurrah” to his martial arts movie career. With that said, fans might be getting what they wish for in a newly announced film, titled What’s My Name? (formerly known as Headlock).
Produced and fully financed by Cross Creek Entertainment, What’s My Name? will have Van Damme playing himself (similar to his most critically-acclaimed 2008 film, JCVD). Left in a coma following a serious car accident, he wakes up with amnesia, unrecognizable to everyone, including himself. Through a series of fights against iconic fighters from across his legendary career, Van Damme begins a quest for his own identity and life meaning. This leads him to one final match (via Deadline).
What’s My Name? will be directed by Jeremy Zag (of the upcoming Ladybug & Cat Noir: Awakening) off a script by Oscar-winning scribes Nick Vallelonga (Green Book) and Paul Sloan (Stilleto), based on a story by Van Damme himself.
“I wanted to leave the stage but with a revisit of my career, starting with Bloodsport, the one where I started to become famous,” Van Damme told Deadline. “I want this to be a new Bloodsport but on a higher level. In the film, I am on my way down in terms of career, and as I come out of a premiere of another action movie, I am not happy because I’ve been living in hotels the past 30 years, which is actually true. We’re going to bring real elements from my real life and what happened to me. I came from Belgium, all the way to Hollywood. I succeeded, I failed, I came back. So I’m walking out on the street after the premiere, and boom! — a car hits me because I’m drunk. When I wake up from the impact, I don’t know what’s my name, and no one recognizes me.”
The same source adds: For Van Damme’s character to regain his mojo, he will fight a lot of the on-screen opponents that made him a star for his acrobatic, high-flying style. That likely include will Universal Soldier‘s Dolph Lundgren, Kickboxer‘s Tong Po (Michel Qissi) and Double Impact‘s Bolo Yeung. In addition, many UFC fighters will be sought for roles as well.
We’ll keep you updated as we learn more about What’s My Name? Until then, here’s the classic Trailer for Kickboxer:
I would say Enemies Closer is underrated. Jean Claude Van Johnson was good fun.
The others have varying degrees of merit and there are few out and out stinkers.
It would be nice to see JCVD in a role that showcases his charming nature, rather than his increasing number of roles where he is emotionally spent.
I think Van Damme is a serious artist. He had a vision about his career before he broke through. his career is the manifestation of a dream. Like the great Hong Kong action starts, Van Damme was schooled in dance just as much as martial arts. Thus there is a “Van Damme style” and action-move became part of the average person’s lexicon…. The man is one of the greatest meta-auteurs since Stallone (shaping genres with creative choices and industry-power as an actor regardless of who is directing). So I really respect his ambition here, that he truly wants to bring something significant back to the genre. Its a very tired genre.. He has no apparent successor. His imitators (as good as some of them were) have all drifted away and in that sense he is a true survivor. One last martial arts epic, perhaps getting back to basics, is a fantastic ambition that shows appreciation for his loyal audience. I hope he re-teams with John Woo.
“I hope he re-teams with John Woo.”
I’m assuming that means you’ve yet to sit through ‘Manhunt’?
It does assume that … Haven’t seen it. Butb I would love to see them re-team. Or maybe Isaac Florentine.. Hard Target may be JCVD’s his best film artistically. Its certainly Woo’s best American film.. Prob his 2nd best film overall after The Killer. But I realise the new-school Woo of late has been boring.
No mention of Hard Boiled…? hmmm))
Hard Boiled is pretty good, but totally overrated. Weaker than Hard Target.
I agree that Hard Boiled was overrated. As a die hard HK cinema fan, people definitely raise a brow at me when I mention that.
Nope. Hard boiled is the best non martial arts action movie ever made.
Hard target is underrated but far from Face off, A bullet in the head, Last hurrah for chivalry and the awesome full cut of Red cliff. And far from The killer, of course… And from the the very underrated Reign of assassins (yeah, he moslty “just” supervised it)… Just heroes is really cool (he co directed it)… I even liked Princess Chang Ping. Oh yeah, and I ‘ve loved Wintalkers since I’ve seen it at the NIFF (première européenne à Neuchâtel…)…and I feel fine about it.
Now Van Damme has made crap since…well, let’s be polite, a long time.
I can’ t stand his first movies, I only like Hard target, In hell (his last good movie) , Replicant, Maximum risk (first time saw an 1.1:33 version: cool, you could see Natasha’s awesome piece of ass better than in 16/9 ;)), Nowhere to run was watchable specially for Rosanna Arquette. The rest… Well, Narco was fun and he had a little part in it but handled it pretty well. And two not guilty pleasures, Tsui Hark’s atrocious Double team and Knock off (Hark probably accepted to do those films to test Hollywood and to get the money but certainly didn’t give a f… about Van Damme… Rob Schneider playing a secret agent, greatest thing ever).
About the writer of one of his next movies, be realistic: he’ll be a academy wiener, not winner.
“Hard Target may be JCVD’s his best film artistically. Its certainly Woo’s best American film”
Face/Off: Hold my beer..,…
No way. The gun-fu is so chopped up and there is not much martial arts to speak of.. It has an Ok narative, with some nice touches – but its well bellow Hard Target. Re-watch Hard Target again. One of the best Hollywood pure actioners of the 90s.
“One other great actor” … I think it could be a buddy film with Jackie Chan.