Do you remember a few months back when we shared the news that Rush Hour 4 is in the works at Paramount following a nudge from sitting POTUS — and apparent action-comedy stan — Donald Trump? And do you remember how, in that same article, we also mentioned that the Home Alone 2 star apparently wanted more movies like Jean-Claude Van Damme’s cult classic MMA flick Bloodsport? Well, we’re sure Mr. President will be thrilled to hear that A24 is stepping into the remake ring for a fresh take on Bloodsport from I May Destroy You creator Michaela Coel.
Per Variety‘s reporting, Michaela Coel — next to be seen playing an art forger in Steven Soderbergh crime comedy The Christophers — has signed on to write and direct A24’s reimagining of Newt Arnold’s 1988 movie. For those who may not yet have been acquainted with Bloodsport and JCVD’s Frank Dux, the movie follows military man Dux as he quits the army to fight in Kumite, the ultimate to-the-death MMA tournament. Whether Coel’s take on the source will emulate that plot is unknown at this point, but the writer-director is certainly pumped to get stuck in. ““I have long been in awe of fighters, and astounded by the discipline, intensity and isolation the sport demands of them,” said the in-demand multi-hyphenate in a statement accompanying the movie’s announcement. “I am excited to explore this world, especially so with A24 as my collaborators. LET’S FUCKING GO.”
Set to be produced by Marc Toberoff, who has also shared his own excitement about “bringing back that high-energy tournament format to the big screen again”, Coel’s Bloodsport is coming off the back of something of a mini-boom in fighting shows and movies — from Mortal Kombat and the upcoming Street Fighter movie, to Cobra Kai and The Smashing Machine. We look forward to seeing whether Coel’s full-contact reimagining of Bloodsport can deliver another knockout for A24. (And if Trump wants to do something good, we wouldn’t say no to a request for The Nice Guys 2… just sayin’.)
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