'Kickboxer' Movie Casting Huge MMA Stars for Trilogy Closer, 'Armageddon'
By Gary Trock on August 18, 2023 at 4:12 PM EDT
Acclaimed action director Dimitri Logothetis, known for 'Jiu Jitsu' and 'Kickboxer: Retaliation,' is preparing to direct his upcoming projects, 'Kickboxer: Armageddon' and 'Flying Shadow,' set to be filmed in Mississippi and Malta.
'Armageddon' culminates the reboot trilogy of the famed 'Kickboxer' series. The original 1989 film showcased Jean-Claude Van Damme as Kurt Sloane, a man who immerses himself in Muay Thai to seek vengeance for his brother. While Van Damme appeared in later movies like 'Kickboxer: Vengeance' and Kickboxer: Retaliation, he was absent in a few others, shifting the narrative to Kurt’s sibling, David, played by Sasha Mitchell.
In Logothetis’ vision, jiu-jitsu master Alain Moussi steps into Sloane's shoes. In Armageddon, a devastating explosion aimed at Sloane results in the tragic loss of his wife and child. Consumed by grief, Kurt dives deep into Malaysia's clandestine fight circuits, training to confront and eliminate the mastermind, Cesare, the twin of Master Durand. The screenplay is a collaboration between Logothetis and Jim McGrath, the brains behind the original reboot. Producers Joel Shapiro and Rob Hickman have also partnered with Logothetis for the trilogy finale.
In the past, Kickboxer has ignited the Hollywood careers of MMA stars, including "Guardians of the Galaxy" star Dave Bautista. This time will be no different, as producers are currently meeting with and casting some of the biggest MMA stars from the UFC and other organizations.
The plot of Flying Shadow revolves around Travis Rawls, a former Black Ops agent, and Ling, head of a Chinese private security unit, racing against time to thwart impending disaster after the legendary sword, Flying Shadow, is pilfered, placing the President's life in jeopardy.
Both scripts were finalized before the strikes in Hollywood began, and now each aims to secure a SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement, with aspirations to commence production in January.
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