14 DAY TRIAL // Last year, though flying somewhat under the radar, a fifth film in the “Universal Soldier” series came out, marking the first time original stars Jean Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren resumed their parts in the first film. The unexpected sequel fared relatively well with critics, though it failed to turn a profit, from what several unconfirmed sources say. With all this, a sequel has been greenlit, Deadline informs.
“Universal Soldier: Regeneration” had an estimated budget of $14 million and by April 2010 it made a little under $1 million at the box office. Though it was released in theaters in many territories, in the US, for instance, it went straight to DVD, failing to make as much as a splash. This is certainly not a context that would encourage the making of a sequel, but Deadline says this is precisely what will happen, with producers betting big on 3D to make a killing at the box office.
“The muscles from Brussels will star with his regular sparring partner Dolph Lundgren in Universal Soldier IV. Mark Damon’s Foresight is selling this action flick, which starts shooting in October. John Hyams, who directed last year’s reboot Universal Soldier: Regeneration is behind the camera again,” Deadline writes. As of now, no other details are available on the upcoming project, but with a start date set for October, odds are more on this should emerge in the weeks to come, especially since interest in the film is peaking with fans.
As also noted above, “Regeneration” was well received by critics, with some even saying it managed to bring a bout of unexpected vitality to the franchise. Director John Hyams said in an interview prior to release that his aim was to introduce the story of the Universal Soldier to younger audiences, while also paying homage to the original, which is a cult classic. In many ways, some said, he managed to attain his goal and to do so superbly.
“I am hoping that we are taking a film that was made a long time ago and we are now trying to present these characters in a contemporary context, and that means stylistically contemporary and to use my own taste, something that feels like it belongs in this era of film making. I also think that that film is a bit of a nostalgia piece, not only to late 80’s but also early 80s,” Hyams explained.