On the heels of word earlier this week announcing that Jean-Claude Van Damme is set to star, the upcoming Kickboxer remake has cast Thai supermodel-turned-actress Sara Malakul Lane (Sharktopus, Jailbait) as the female lead, not-so-progressively officially described as the “leading character’s love interest.”
“Sara’s beauty, charm and acting skills balance perfectly ‘Kickboxer[‘s]’ testosterone and action ” says Radar Films’ Ted Field. “Alain as Kurt will fall in love, as [will] everyone else.”
Directed by John Stockwell (Cat Run), the new Kickboxer follows Eric and Kurt Sloan, descendants of a well-known Venice, California-based family of martial artists. Kurt has always been in older brother, Eric’s shadow, as he lacks the instincts needed to become a champion. But when Kurt witnesses the merciless murder of his brother at the hands of Muay Thai champion Tong Po, he vows revenge. He trains with his brother’s mentor, Xian Chow, for a Muay Thai fight to the death with Tong Po. Chow first thinks Kurt impossible to train, but through a series of spiritual exercises and tests, Chow discovers that Kurt has a deeper strength that will carry him through his final showdown with Tong Po.
Also set to star Alain Moussi (X-Men: Days of Future Past), Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy) and George St. Pierre (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Kickboxer is produced by Field alongside Dimitri Logothetis and Nick Celozzi. Mike Weber and Peter Meyer will executive produce as well as Brian O’Shea, Nat McCormick and Jeff Bowler from The Exchange. The Exchange is selling Kickboxer worldwide.
Kickboxer started production this week. The film is shooting in New Orleans, Louisiana and Thailand.
