Nico, Trapped on the High Seas, Failure and Death, Destined for Death, Savage Justice on One Side. Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Punch for Punch, Double Impact and Full Contact on the other hand. Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme, two action movie icons of the 80s and 90s that delighted fans and video club shelves.
Two stars who barely liked each other during their selfish journey and didn’t cut each other down just to cover for each other. But many people dreamed of seeing them compete. And if he wasn’t on screen, why not in the ring?
In a recent interview telegraphVan Damme reveals that the idea was seriously considered by renowned producer Peter Guber: “They came up with the idea of Steven and I having a fight at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. $20 million each. They backed off.”
As for which of the two would emerge victorious in this hypothetical showdown, JCVD has his own idea: “When he and I fight, I run faster than him—much faster. I’ll want to run away. He’ll try to catch me and run off steam. Then I’ll come back and fight.”
“Can I laugh in your face?”
Of course, it’s always easier to go back on a match, especially if it didn’t happen… because one forgets that Steven Seagal is still a 7th degree black belt in Aikido and even opened a dojo in Japan in the 1970s. , in addition to having taught martial arts to several high-level athletes.
When the host Michael Schiavello Invicta Fighting Championship asked him in 2008 if he was Jean-Claude Van Damme “Hollywood’s Most Legitimate Tough Guy”Seagal’s answer flies like a research bullet: “Can I laugh in your face?”
Expendables proceedings
A pure revival company that aims to bring together all the old glories of action movies, the Expendables franchise has managed to recall a hell of a lot of industry specialists; And not only that: Chuck Norris, Jet Li, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dolph Lundgren, Sylvester Stallone obviously, Wesley Snipes, Bruce Willis, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, JCVD…
In the midst of these king size castings, an old glory was always missing: Steven Seagal. During production of The Expendables: Stallone offered the role of Mr. Church to Seagal, who eventually took the role Bruce Willis. He would then consider Seagal for the second episode before favoring his arch nemesis Jean-Claude Van Damme.
In 2013, a year before the release of Expendables 3, an expert with arm locks and other death props was announced for casting. In June 2014, Energetic Panda (yes, that’s also his nickname) completely brushed aside the idea in an interview. A big issue : “Whoever said that is a lying and complicit bastard.” nice…
“I don’t like some of the people in it. (…) Life is too short, you might as well work with good people. (…) There are good and bad people everywhere, and in The Expendables, some are friendly to me. So, It’s okay. (…) I like Jason Statham, I like Jet Li, people like that.”
In addition to Seagal not appreciating JCVD’s appearance in the Expendables 2 cast, it’s also an old financial dispute he’s had with producer Avi Lerner, who owns the rights to the hit action saga through his company Millenium Films.
During the 2000s, the two men had the opportunity to work together on several DTVs, such as Deep Water Trap (2005), Mercenary (2006), and Killing Point (2008). But their relationship quickly soured when the monolithic actor became increasingly greedy financially.
Anyway, Seagal has a lot to do now that he has been appointed by Vladimir Putin as a special representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry. “Responsible for Russian-American humanitarian relations”. And even awarded the Order of Friendship by the Master of the Kremlin “Great contribution to the development of international cultural and humanitarian cooperation”. Yes Yes…
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
