Scott Adkins Joins Tony Jaa In Kickboxer Remake
Good news Scott Adkins fans.
The upcoming remake of Kickboxer, the 1989 Van Damme classic (it really is!), has been added to Scott’s “to-do” list. He’s going to join Tony Jaa, who told ManlyMovie recently of his involvement. They will join Dave Batista in the movie which will be directed by Stephen Fung.
Here is the official press release:
Aug 5, 2014 – Brian O’Shea, CEO of The Exchange, has announced and confirmed that in addition to having Dave Batista, star of GUARDIANS OF THE GLAXY, former UFC welterweight champion George St. Pierre, and Alain Moussi of X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, the 3D reboot of KICKBOXER will boast two additional action stars: Scott Adkins (THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM, ZERO DARK THIRTY) and martial arts legend Tony Jaa (ONG BAK trilogy, FAST & FURIOUS 7).
The high-octane KICKBOXER remake is directed by Stephen Fung (TAI CHI ZERO, TAI CHI HERO). It stars Alain Moussi (X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST),
With the addition of Adkins and Jaa, KICKBOXER features a variety of over 20 martial arts disciplines. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY star Batista has long wrestled professionally for WWE but has formal backgrounds in Kali, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Moussi is a practitioner of Karate, Kickboxing, Aikido, Goshindo, Kobudo, Filipino martial arts, Sambo, Judo, and Jiu-Jitsu. St. Pierre practices Kyokushin Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, and Wrestling along with a vast array of talents stemming from a Mixed Martial Arts background.
Adkins has a lengthy resume in the action genre with roles in THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM, THE EXPENDALES 2, and a slate of other action-centric films. Adkins has also worked alongside the original KICKBOXER, Jean-Claude Van Damme, battling the legend on screen in UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: DAY OF RECKONING. Adkins has backgrounds in Taekwondo, Kickboxing, and Judo.
Jaa is a veteran of the martial arts genre. His groundbreaking, blitzkrieg-paced ONG BAK films are cult classics. He also starred in THE PROTECTOR. Jaa is trained in Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Muay Boran, Aikido, Judo and Wushu.
KICKBOXER follows Kurt Sloan (Moussi), a talented martial artist who travels to Thailand where he must learn the secrets of the kickboxer to avenge his brother’s death at the hands of Tong Po (Bautista).
The film is produced by Ted Field of Radar Films (RIDDICK, THE LAST SAMURAI), Dimitri Logothetis and Nick Celozzi. Mike Weber and Peter Meyer will executive produce.
“Kickboxer will display a style of acrobatic, rapid-fire martial arts action that Scott Adkins is increasingly becoming synonymous with,” said O’Shea, “Along with Tony Jaa, KICKBOXER has compiled a talented cast to push the boundaries of the martial arts form.”
Mucho Macho
August 6, 2014 at 1:06 am
1) I know some people dont get why a lot of people write positively a lot about this guy Adkins. Once again just to clarify y that is. In an age where the action heroes look like 150 pound weaklings who look like boybanders who couldnt take a punch from a girl. Adkins is an action star who can fight, decent actor & can kick some ass. Karate,fighting,martial Arts movies r a manly thing..nothing wrong with that.
2)i wrote this b4 so i know i sound like a broken record..but Goddamn it!!! The fact that his dude hasnt been in a Marvel or DC comic book movie is a crime. Go google who they just cast as DareDevil & ull get my point.
The_Night_Rider
August 6, 2014 at 11:48 am
There’s something odd about the ‘glass ceiling’ above Adkins. It must just confirm that it’s not what you know…
Mucho Macho
August 6, 2014 at 6:02 pm
” The more i know,
The less i understand”
-Don Henley
Dino Bambino
August 7, 2014 at 12:14 am
I concur.
What gets me about this great announcement is the casting of Alain Moussi as lead, instead of Adkins. There’s nothing on the level with EX2 and the Boyka movies in Moussi resume.
The industry better not turn Adkins into another late 90s Gary Daniels; the guy is the best Western Martial Arts actor out right now.
Mucho Macho
August 7, 2014 at 6:28 am
Right Dino..
They have Adkins & they r just gonna kill him off!?!?
Thats fucking Boyka!
Tony Jaa is awesome but he is too young to be playing the ” Old Wise Mentor ”
He is in his 30’s for Christ Sakes!
sveknu
August 6, 2014 at 8:39 am
Usuaylly I hate remakes, and Kickboxer is a classic that really didn’t need a new version.
Having said that, this looks really promising and exciting based on the people involved so far.
Anoyster
August 6, 2014 at 11:41 am
You can’t get a much better line-up for a martial arts based action movie these days, I hope they knock it out of the park. Can’t wait to see this!