14 DAY TRIAL // A reboot of the 1988 hit “Bloodsport” with Jean-Claude Van Damme has been in the works for at least a couple of years but, until just recently, it simply did not seem likely that it will ever be made. Variety confirms that a director is officially attached.
“Bloodsport” will be directed by James McTeigue, whose credits include “V for Vendetta,” “Ninja Assassin” and “The Raven,” so, if you think about it, he’s a solid choice for this project as well.
“Relativity is producing with Edward R. Pressman, Chris Brown, Alberto Lensi, Australia-based Pictures in Paradise and Trans-American Films Intl. The film, which has not been cast, will explore the life of 21st century mercenaries as they collide with the underground world of Brazilian Vale Tudo fighting,” Variety says.
The script is by Robert Mark Kamen, who previously penned “Taken.”
While it would make sense to have the leading man of the original movie (JCVD) on board at least in some capacity (a cameo, at the very least), Kamen said a while back that he would not be in the movie even though he wanted it.
“This is a character driven, politically motivated film. It has nothing to do with splits or muscles or grudge matches and as I said, if the title were not attached to the rights, you would not associate one film with the other,” Kamen said last October.
Fans will probably not be pleased to be tricked into seeing this reboot.