Bloodsport, Kickboxer, and Timecop Get Remakes

Looks like we'll be expecting a resurgence of Van Damme movies, and Van Damme may or may not necessarily be in them. Relativity Media is set to produce a remake of the Jean Claude Van Damme movie BLOODSPORT with James McTeigue (V for Vendetta) as director. Meanwhile, Radar Pictures is also eyeing on the remake of another Van Damme movie: KICKBOXER with Stephen Fung (Tai chi Zero) as director. Months ago, it was also reported that a TIMECOP Movie (which is also originally a Van Damme movie) is also in development. [full article after the jump]

BLOODSPORT
The BLOODSPORT remake pitch was one that was brewing for a while now, with director Philip Noyce initially attached to it. Now, Relativity Media has tapped James McTeigue (director of The Raven and V for Vendetta) to helm a the remake. The project is expected to begin production early next year, in Australia and Rio de Janeiro

The original BLOODSPORT was set in Hong Kong and was about a soldier who went AWOL in order to compete in a deadly martial arts tournament wherein he wishes to defend his master's honor. The new movie will be, this time, set in South America, as it will “explore the life of 21st century mercenaries as they collide with the underground world of Brazilian Vale Tudo fighting.”  The existing script by Taken scribe Robert Mark Kamen will be rewritten by Craig Rosenberg under McTeigue’s supervision.

KICKBOXER
Kickboxer is also set for a return to the ring, and will be helmed by Stephen Fung (Tai Chi Zero), written by Jim McGrath and Dimitri Logothetis, and is set up through Radar Pictures, which produced The Last Samurai and Riddick.  Casting is now underway and producers are looking towards an early 2014 start. 

The original movie is about a man who must learn the ancient kick boxing art of Muay Thai in order to avenge his brother, who was paralyzed in a bout against undefeated champion.

TIMECOP
Universal is throwing into development a remake of Timecop, the 1994 Jean-Claude Van Damme time travel action movie. Marc Shmuger will produce the film via his Universal-based Global Produce banner alongside Tom McNulty. The original Timecop was set in the near future where time travel is regulated by a police force. One officer (Van Damme) runs into a crooked politician (played by Ron Silver), who uses time travel to further his political career.

In the case of TIMECOP, the intention of the remake here is probably set on the fact that the original movie had an immensely attractive and interesting plot, and not much on the ground of taking the Martial Arts aspect in consideration.

Now, I wonder... Will we ever get a CYBORG remake?