Michaela Coel (“I May Destroy You”) is set to write and direct a new take on the 1988 martial arts classic Bloodsport, reuniting with A24 for a third collaboration.
The original Bloodsport turned Belgian actor Jean-Claude Van Damme into an international star, but his path to the role was far from easy. At the time, Van Damme was reportedly broke and working odd jobs. Determined to land the part of American soldier Frank Dux, he trained up to 10 hours a day, changed his appearance to look more “American,” and even had dental work done to achieve the ideal Hollywood look. Despite this preparation, the fight coordinator on the film, Dux, insisted Van Damme needed more conditioning, putting him through a three-month intensive training program, which Van Damme later called the hardest of his life. The effort paid off: the film became a box office hit, grossing roughly $50 million on a budget of $1.5–2.3 million, and helped spark a resurgence of martial arts films in the U.S.
Coel said, “I have long been in awe of fighters, and astounded by the discipline, intensity and isolation the sport demands of them. I am excited to explore this world, especially so with A24 as my collaborators. LET’S F*CKING GO.”
Marc Toberoff and Alberto Lensi are producing, with Stuart Manashil and Peggy DiSalle as executive producers. A24 will finance and distribute the project. Toberoff added, “In 1988, the now-iconic Bloodsport introduced audiences to the gritty aesthetic of mixed martial arts, and I look forward to bringing back that high-energy tournament format to the big screen again.”
The original film spawned three sequels without Van Damme and inspired several attempted remakes, including a 2013 project with director James McTeigue (Ninja Assassin, V for Vendetta).
