In 1988, Bloodsport was the quintessential Cannon Group VHS blockbuster, costing nothing to make and raking in $50m "despite" negative reviews. It made Jean-Claude Van Damme a star, is notable for being a perfectly-formed, perfectly mindless video game on celluloid, and is credited for bringing the martial arts genre back to the big screen. A remake is now on the way, but it's who is remaking it that's fascinating: arthouse production studio A24 and Michaela Coel, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and creator of the acclaimed drama I May Destroy You.
"I have long been in awe of fighters, and astounded by the discipline, intensity and isolation the sport demands of them," Coel said. "I am excited to explore this world, especially so with A24 as my collaborators. LET'S FUCKING GO."
The original was directed by Newt Arnold and based on the yarns of undistinguished U.S. army officer and ostentatious ninja Frank Dux, who claimed to have competed in a clandestine full-contact freestyle tournament in Hong Kong. One of the neatest things about it is its rare footage of Kowloon Walled City.
A24 has been working on more "commercial" movies for a while, now. With the forthcoming Street Fighter looking like so much bonkers fun, I hope Coel takes it in the most insane direction possible.
Now all we need is a remake of Mortal Kombat by Merchant Ivory: "Do forgive my abruptness, but it is quite imperative that you GET OVER HERE."
Here are some classic scenes from the JCVD original.
