ROTTEN TOMATOES: Van Damme Turned Down Roles in Rush Hour 3, New Street Fighter? Comments

Van Damme Turned Down Roles in Rush Hour 3, New Street Fighter?

by Jeff Giles | March 05, 2008

Summary

We've all had our share of fun at Jean-Claude Van Damme's expense over the years -- never in front of him, of course -- but perhaps the DVD-friendly action star has always been sharper than we gave him credit for being. Back to Article

(1-26 of 26 posts) | Reply

xenogears writes:
on Mar 05 2008 05:39 AM

I actually just rented his latest movie. I'm glad he doesn't want to do crap anymore and isn't doing the Steven Segal thing. I didn't realize he is 47.

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sunsaz writes:
on Mar 05 2008 05:46 AM

Guess all those blows to the head over the years finally knocked his brain into proper working order.

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Don't Tase Me Bro writes:
on Mar 05 2008 05:50 AM

I call this the Stallone-effect.

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Matanuki writes:
on Mar 05 2008 06:21 AM

In reply to this comment (#1616882)
lol. "the Stallone-effect". I like it. But man, I've been pissed off at Van Damme since Double Team. True what Xeno said though, at least he hasn't gone *sigh* the Steven Segal route.

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dahluzz writes:
on Mar 05 2008 07:29 AM

"The Shepherd: Boarder Patrol" eh? reminds me of a movie concept me and some kids created for a college project. ours was just called "Boarder Patrol." So Hollywood insiders, get ready to steal an idea because this one's free:

"Boarder Patrol" stars Will Smith as a jive-talking goof-officer at the mexican boarder. Edward Norton plays an uptight high-ranking government agent who screws up on the job and is sent to Smith's boarder outpost as punishment. and guess what, now Smith is Norton's superior. uh oh...

The villain is played by Benecio Del Toro (with long hair), a mexican drug runner trying to get a mole inside the boarder patrol to aid in his smuggling operations. He makes his daughter, played by Catalina Sandino Moreno, get close to Will Smith by flirting with him and stuff.

Eventually, the daughter realizes her dad is evil and winds up helping Smith and Norton stop Del Toro in a climactic boarder showdown. It's an adrenaline-fueled, laugh-a-minute thrill ride that's rated pg-13 so everyone can enjoy it.

There's even a contest online where fans vote on the movie's tagline and whoever wins sees it on posters and stuff. anyways, the article just reminded me of that and clearly i don't have much to do at work.

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TombstoneLawDog writes:
on Mar 05 2008 07:30 AM

'gotta admit this sounds not only candid but well-reasoned and humble. I'd love to take it at face value but if you read interviews with Sharon Stone about 'Basic Instinct 2' she almost sounds down-to-earth and logical, speaking about that. I'm not directly comparing them and I'm not saying that Van Damme doesn't mean what he says but this will all be resolved when the movie comes out.

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chazbow writes:
on Mar 05 2008 09:28 AM

Unlike Seagal, Van Damme has at least made some watchable direct-to-DVD movies where there's at least an effort to make a decent film.

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iggybumtastic writes:
on Mar 05 2008 09:41 AM

I actually hope he gets a big film again, kind of like the guy, lol

talk movies at itsfilmtastic.co.uk

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ZiGyStRdUsT writes:
on Mar 05 2008 09:53 AM

Norton and Smith vs Del Toro... It's kinda uneven dontcha think, I think Jet Li should join Del Toro as a Triad drug lord trying to move his operation to the mexican border with the help of Del Toro, that way the race war is kinda complete. Maybe we could have some middle eastern conspiracy to take over the United States too!

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Gimy writes:
on Mar 05 2008 11:13 AM

i actually have a little respect for the guy, and its ironic he comes back up(since i haven't HEARD his name being said in years) because i just watched his cameo in Las Vegas(fav show). it takes alot of (SPOOOOOILER ALERT) balls to go on a tv show and play yourself...and die as yourself, in my opinion. i just don't see alot of action stars in the twighlight of their career willing to do that.

and i'm sorry mr. Van Damme but your best movie will always be Bloodsport. thats just a classic...

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rt_hire_me writes:
on Mar 05 2008 11:43 AM

Vandamme, I'm not an action fan, but you rock. The man from Brussels, six foot four and full of muscles. And principles. I like underdogs and comebacks. I hope his new movie dazzles. "What Mabrouk did to me, it's like Scorsese did to De Niro years ago." As far-fetched as that sounds, wouldn't that be cool if it were true?

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Dark Knight jr. writes:
on Mar 05 2008 11:51 AM

... Wow. 47, huh? Pretty old... I have more respect for him now, though. Money truly isn't everything. Word up, Van Damme.

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chibixleon writes:
on Mar 05 2008 12:05 PM

Van damme is just awesome. I hope his new movies are a success! I definitely have a new found respect for him after reading these articles. It seems like he's trying to self actualize at this point in his career and there's a lot to respect there! GOOD LUCK JEAN CLAUDE!

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Herberbaly writes:
on Mar 05 2008 01:37 PM

Say what you will about the guy, but Bloodsport, Kickboxer, and Universal Soldier were all pretty badass in their day. He should really try to be in more comedies or play over-the-top villains in modern day action flicks (he and Jason Statham would be cheese glory). Either way, always loved the guy, even if he does come off as sort of creepy and pervish. Besides, he's got his name in the best tag line for a movie EVER: From Double Impact (that p.o.s. where he played twins): Wham! Bam! Twice the VAN DAMME!!

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Ryze writes:
on Mar 05 2008 02:02 PM

I always liked Van Damme. I think Time Cop was probably his best movie. I also like Nowhere to Run even though it seems alot of people didnt.

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mberko1 writes:
on Mar 05 2008 03:53 PM

Nowhere to run was definitely his worst movie. He didn't even know how to fight in that movie. Herberbaly is right, those were his best films. I use to watch those movies over and over as a kid. I'll always remember Van Damme as "the American ****head who makes chicks with bricks!"

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jtg185 writes:
on Mar 05 2008 03:53 PM

Van Damme is by far, in my opinion, the greatest action star ever! Even though I haven't seen him in a movie that opened in a theater for years, he still makes some very entertaining direct to video fare. Its very refreshing to see that he has come to grips with the fact that he is getting older and only has a few years left in him. Personally I hope he has a good 20 left!

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Relapse writes:
on Mar 05 2008 03:56 PM

I can't say anything bad about a man that wants to retire with dignity. I hope that he makes a movie he can truly be proud of.

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cuteview writes:
on Mar 05 2008 05:24 PM

This man was the S#IT in the 80's...a Classic Action Star...

In my book...Lionheart, Kickboxer and Bloodsport have been three of the best Van Damme movies...as a kid, Van Damme was THE MAN! I have been a fan for many years and have enjoyed some of his Direct-2-DVD movies.

I only wish him luck for a swift return to the Silver Screen.

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wallstreet_jony writes:
on Mar 05 2008 05:41 PM

In reply to this comment (#1617464)
Hey Van Damme,

I know your reading this b/c all actor sneak on hear to read these comments. I just have to say, I havent posted a comment on here in a while, but i was motivated to when I read your interview.

Just wanted to say that as a child, you were my hero. Watching your movies made me join karate and break a few vases around the house. Some of my favorite movies as a kid, right up there with Superman, were Bloodsport and Universal Soldier. Good luck and thanks for making movies that I enjoyed.

- Jonathan

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chazbow writes:
on Mar 05 2008 07:58 PM

Does anybody besides me think "Sudden Death" was an absolute blast and the most entertaining of the many "Die Hard" ripoffs?

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optic_85 writes:
on Mar 05 2008 10:08 PM

Van Damme sounds like a f**cking cool guy!!!

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kissman24 writes:
on Mar 05 2008 10:32 PM

This interview was pretty refreshing to read. I always thought Van Damme was his own worst enemy in choosing the types of films he has chosen to do.

I think it's a good thing that he will try something different. I believe that he has more to offer than redundant action fare.

IMO, he should consider doing some films where he isn't the lead actor but the co-star or a strong supporting role. Hell, Stallone should do this too, but ego probably ruins any chance of these guys getting involved with a good movie that they won't be the feature actor in.

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jeremyd4 writes:
on Mar 05 2008 10:52 PM

I always picked him as someone Tarantino would wanna work with - revitalize his career so to speak. I mean, he just seems the perfect character for something in the Tarantino-verse.

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jeremyd4 writes:
on Mar 05 2008 10:53 PM

That J.C.V.D. seems so trippy too... the Cannes teasers is a crack up - check youtube if interested.

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eTiMaGo writes:
on Mar 05 2008 11:01 PM

Van Damme's pretty cool... met the guy when I was a kid, was an extra in "The Quest" :) Really quite short in person!

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