“Bloodsport’sinfluence spreads far and wide, and after watching it, it’s not hard to see why.
ButSheldon Lettich, who co-wroteBloodsport, would later reveal that Duxfabricated most of his feats.
But that hard training paid off sinceBloodsportboasts incredible fight scenes.
Custom Image by Federico Napoli
It’s the bang out of over-the-top fighting that makesBloodsportan adrenaline-fueled watch.
The success ofBloodsportled Van Damme to rack up more roles, includingUniversal SoldierandTimeCop.
He would also re-team withSheldon Lettichfor a number of films, includingLionheartandDouble Impact.
Image via 20th Century Studios
It never came to pass, and the duoended up making what would becomeMortal Kombat.
The Muscles from Brussels channels his inner John McClane as he fights terrorists during the Stanley Cup finals.
Van Damme would inspire another character in cocky Hollywood star Johnny Cage.
Image via Cannon Films
Cage’s signature split kick is a direct homage to the “Muscles from Brussels.”
Directed by Newt Arnold, the 1988 action film helped establish Van Damme as a Hollywood star.
Jean-Claude Van Damme stars in the martial arts movie Bloodsport as a fictional version of the real-life Frank Dux, a U.S. Army officer who participated in a secret underground martial arts tournament in Hong Kong. Directed by Newt Arnold, the 1988 action film helped establish Van Damme as a Hollywood star.
