Two top-tier action stars have been added to the upcoming Kickboxer remake, with word that Tony Jaa (pictured above, Ong Bak, Fast & Furious 7) and Scott Adkins (The Expendables 2, The Bourne Ultimatum) are in negotiations for two key supporting roles. Both stars have gained a rabid following in the martial arts community over the years.
Stunt man Alain Moussi is starring in the remake of the Jean-Claude Van Damme classic as Kurt Sloan, a talented martial artist who travels to Thailand where he learns the secrets of the kickboxer to avenge his brother’s death at the hands of Tong Po (Guardians of the Galaxy breakout and professional wrestler Dave Bautista). Former UFC welterweight champion George St. Pierre (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) also stars in Kickboxer, which is being helmed by Chinese Tai Chi Zero director Stephen Fung.
If talks result in a deal, Jaa will be taking on the role of the Muay Thai master who trains Kurt to beat Tong Po, while Adkins will be portraying Kurt’s older brother. With the addition of Jaa and Adkins, Kickboxer will feature over 20 martial arts disciplines, making it a very promising project for action fans.
Brian O’Shea, head of The Exchange, an international sales company handling the Kickboxer remake, said in an official statement:
“Kickboxer will display a style of acrobatic, rapid-fire martial arts action that Scott Adkins is increasingly becoming synonymous with. Along with Tony Jaa, ‘Kickboxer’ has compiled a talented cast to push the boundaries of the martial arts form.”
No release date has yet been announced for the new Kickboxer, but we’ll be sure to keep you posted as that information becomes available. In the meantime, let us know – is a remake of this action classic a good idea, or is this cast not enough to make you excited about revisiting the flick?