'Kickboxer' Remake Movie Release Date, Cast & News Update: Gina Carano Joins Jean-Claude Van Damme
The remake of 1989 action movie "Kickboxer" is dropping yet another bomb, adding Gina Carano to the mix of cast.
The news comes on the heels of the revelation last week, when it was confirmed that Jean-Claude Van Damme, who starred in the first film, will also appear in the film reboot, said Coming Soon. Van Damme is known for his martial arts skills and, IGN said, "Kickboxer" is among his best known appearances -- also including "Bloodsport" and "Universal Soldier."
Carano, who is into Muay Thai, will be playing a fight promoter, Coming Soon detailed. According to IMDb, she has an MMA record of 7-1-0, and carries 12 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw in Muay Thai.
She is expected to amp up the sex appeal of the movie, having claimed 16th spot in Maxim's Hot 100 list and 39th spot on the 2014 list, among others.
Earlier this year, Collider reported that stuntman Alain Moussi of the "X-Men Days of Future Past," MMA fighter George St. Pierre of "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" and Dave Bautista who was on "Guardians of the Galaxy" would also participate in the movie, directed by John Stockwell.
Hollywood Reporter also notes that model-turned-actress Sara Malakul Lane will be the love interest of Moussi, who plays the main character.
Collider quoted a May 12 press release, revealing that Stephen Fung of "Tai Chi Zero, Tai Chi Hero" fame was set to direct "Kickboxer", with Ted Field of Radar Pictures as producer. However, Coming Soon now reports that Stockwell will get the directorial role. Field, Dmitri Logotheis, Nick Celozzi, Mike Weber, Peter Meyer, Brian O'Shea, Nat McCormick and Jeff Bowler from The Exchange will reportedly serve as the executive producers.
Hollywood Reporter said Carano had worked with Stockwell in the 2013 project "In the Blood," and she just finished taping for "Bus 567" also starring Robert De Niro and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. She was in "Fast & Furious 6," as well.
In 2012, she won the first Chuck Norris Award for best female action star for her role on "Haywire," presented at the ActionFest Film Festival, said IMDb.
"It will be fun to watch Gina as the sneaky and dangerous temptress, a boa constrictor of this fighting jungle... Watch out kickboxers!" the report quoted Field as saying.
On Rotten Tomatoes, 65 percent liked the 1989 film, with an average rating of 3.1 with a possible 5. The upcoming reboot is reportedly filming in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Thailand. Fans would have to wait for the film's release date announcement.