Martial arts cinema legend Jean-Claude Van Damme (Cyborg, Double Impact) is set to headline Katana, an upcoming martial arts action thriller from writer/director Jeremy Zag, the filmmaker best known for creating the hit Miraculous franchise.
Van Damme will play a former world champion fighter who has left his violent past behind to embrace life as a father. However, when his daughter is kidnapped by the Yakuza in Japan, he is forced out of retirement for one more fight (via Deadline).
Joining Van Damme are Armenian MMA fighter Melsik Baghdasaryan and French Muay Thai and kickboxing world champion Cyril Benzaquen.
Zag has described the project as a combination of the fighting spirit of Bloodsport, the urgency of Taken and the energy of John Wick. The filmmaker also intends to explore Japan’s martial arts traditions, with samurai honor and katana combat playing an important role in the film’s visual identity.
Production is being handled by Division Z in partnership with Japan based Wowow Bridge, with international sales being overseen by The Veterans. Filming is currently scheduled to take place in Japan, France and Los Angeles during April, May and June 2027.
🔥 Footnote: Katana appears to be the evolution of What’s My Name?, a previously announced collaboration between Van Damme and Zag that was first reported in 2022.
We’ll keep you updated as we learn more. Until then, we leave you with the Trailer for Van Damme’s most “Hong Kong action” flick ever, Knock-Off:
