I still remember the exact moment when I became aware of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s presence in the entertainment industry. Although he had played the villain in No Retreat, No Surrender and made his leading man debut with Bloodsport, I didn’t know about him until the VHS release of Kickboxer. That’s when a local video store put up a large poster of the film – which the store’s owner gestured to while telling my mom and I about this new guy named Van Damme, who was meant to be the next action star along the lines of Stallone and Schwarzenegger. We rented the movie… and I’ve been a fan of Van Damme ever since. So I think it’s very cool that Diamond Select Toys will be releasing a Jean-Claude Van Damme action figure next year.
An image of the action figure can be seen at the bottom of this article, and more can be found on the Diamond Select Toys website, where the figure is available for pre-order, going for the price of $29.99. It’s expected to start shipping out sometime in the second quarter of 2024 (April, May, or June).
Here’s the description of the Van Damme action figure: The world’s premier action hero returns, with an all-new figure for 2024! Jean-Claude Van Damme, a.k.a. JCVD, dons a blue gi for this super-poseable action figure inspired by some of his most famous film appearances. With over 16 points of articulation, and designed to replicate the actor’s most impressive feats, this 7-inch, 1/10 scale action figure features detailed sculpting and paint applications, and includes interchangeable parts and accessories. It comes packaged in a full-color window box. Hand-sculpted by Jean St. Jean!
Van Damme had a hell of a run of awesomeness from the end of the ’80s through the mid ’90s. Lionheart, Death Warrant, Double Impact, Universal Soldier, Nowhere to Run, Hard Target, Timecop, I love all of those movies. Then Street Fighter came along and broke the streak, but he has had some winners since then as well.
Are you a Van Damme fan, and will you be adding this action figure to your collection? Let us know by leaving a comment below.