Fans in the U.S. of the original Jean-Claude Van Damme action flick KICKBOXER who were curious to take a look at the update KICKBOXER: VENGEANCE, starring Van Damme, Dave Bautista and Gina Carano, are in luck. The day when that will happen isn't too far off with RLJ Entertainment announcing that they have picked up U.S. distribution for the film, with plans for a theatrical and VOD release sometime later this year.
“Fans of Jean-Claude Van Damme have been waiting for a long time for this reboot of the Kickboxer franchise,” said Mark Ward, RLJ Entertainment’s Chief Acquisitions Officer in a statement. “The film delivers more action and an amazing ensemble of fighters from Dave Bautista to George St-Pierre to Cain Velasquez and Gina Carano. Fans will not be disappointed.”
This time around, the student has become the teacher, with Van Damme playing legendary Master Durand, a skilled martial artists master obviously, who trains Alain Moussi's Kurt Sloane after he travels to Thailand to avenge his brother's death at the hands of Dave Bautista's dangerous Tong Po. Kurt and Tong Po will eventually meet in a battle to the death, but not before JCVD gifts the former with a good deal of knowledge that will hopefully keep him alive (It probably will).