Just a week ago, we learned that while previously announced Tony Jaa was off the KICKBOXER remake (aww…), his replacement was none other than the original's Kurt Sloane himself, Jean-Claude Van Damme (yay!). Now, another martial arts star is joining this badass cast- Ms. Gina Carano.
Carano will be playing a "fight promoter" in John Stockwell's remake, which will have newcomer Alain Moussi replacing JCVD in the title role. Aside from Carano, Moussi, and Van Damme, the film's also set to feature Scott Adkins and Dave Bautista. Way more formidable of a lineup than most martial arts films boast these days.
I was already pretty hyped for this remake, but Carano's participation makes this even more exciting. Her films (particularly HAYWIRE) are some of the best examples of female-fronted action out there, and I specifically thought her INTO THE BLOOD (a TAKEN ripoff with Carano tracking down her kidnapped fiancee) rode heavily on the former MMA fighter's unique screen presence. Hopefully, she won't be relegated to the sidelines holding a microphone the whole time like Randy Couture in REDBELT, and will actually get to exchange blows with Moussi, Bautista, or maybe even Van Damme.
What major onscreen martial artists can you think of that are not (nor hasn't been) involved with this production? Any you'd want to see??
