Jean-Claude Van Damme does not always star in his own franchise sequels, but the legendary action star appears in Kill ‘Em All 2, which is currently trending on Netflix. Jean-Claude Van Damme is one of the world’s most iconic 1980s action stars, but while many of his movies began franchises, he does not always star in their sequels. Van Damme’s movies have often been described as “the most remade” of all time, based on the success of their franchises. However, until Kill ‘Em All 2, Jean-Claude Van Damme had only played three recurring characters.
In Kill ‘Em All 2, Van Damme reprises his role as Philip, a former spy on a revenge mission. The movie takes place seven years after Kill ‘Em All, with Philip discovering that the brother of one of the men he killed in the original film is also out for revenge. The cast of Kill ‘Em All 2 features some extremely talented actors, including Peter Stormare, who is reprising his original role as Agent Holman, Andrei Lenart, and Jacqueline Fernandez. Van Damme regularly appears in action movies, but Kill ‘Em All 2 is his first action sequel since 2018.
Kill ‘Em All 2 Is Jean-Claude Van Damme’s First Action Movie Sequel Since 2018’s Kickboxer: Retaliation
Jean-Claude Van Damme Plays A Different Character In Kickboxer: Retaliation
Jean-Claude Van Damme has appeared in the sequels of many established action movies, including as the antagonist in The Expendables 2, often described as one of Van Damme’s best villain roles. While he had a voice acting role in the video game sequel Hitman III in 2021, Van Damme has not appeared in an action movie sequel since 2018, when he returned to the Kickboxer franchise. While the movies have different styles, they are similar, as each has a revenge theme and Van Damme gets to use the martial arts kicks that made his career in both.
Van Damme’s role as the revenge-driven martial arts competitor Kurt Sloane in Kickboxer was his first major movie after getting his career break in Bloodsport in 1988. Kickboxer contained some of the coolest kicks in Jean-Claude Van Damme’s action movies and began a seven-movie franchise. That said, when Van Damme returned for Kickboxer: Retaliation, he did not reprise his role as Sloane, but instead played Master Durand, training a new version of Sloane. The original Kill ‘Em All was made three decades into Van Damme’s career and released just one year before Kickboxer: Retaliation.
How Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Kill ‘Em All Movies Compare To His Other Action Franchises
Kill ‘Em All 2 Has Not Received Good Reviews, But It Is Worth Watching
Van Damme’s Kill ‘Em All movies were made well into his career as an action star, so it is not surprising to see him in a more jaded and gritty role. The movies that gave Van Damme his break, like Bloodsport, Double Impact, and Kickboxer, cast him as a young and hotheaded character, often on a revenge mission. That said, Kill ‘Em All still includes some of Van Damme’s best movie fights, which tend to be brutal. While Van Damme has begun successful franchises, like Universal Soldier, he rarely continues with the roles, making Kill ‘Em All 2 unusual.
Action Movie Franchises Where Jean-Claude Van Damme Reprises His Role | ||
|---|---|---|
Title | Original Appearance | Character |
Kickboxer | 1989 | Kurt Sloane, then Master Durand |
Universal Soldier | 1992 | Luc Deveraux |
Kung Fu Panda | 2011 (Kung Fu Panda II) | Master Croc |
Kill ‘Em All | 2017 | Philip |
Jean-Claude Van Damme’s action movies tend to be cheesy and silly, which may not win them high critical ratings, but it makes them fun to watch. The comedy aspects of Van Damme’s more recent action roles, like The Expendables 2, have often gained positive attention, with many of Van Damme’s most underrated movies being ones in which he plays a more subtle character. Like other Van Damme movies (including the original Kickboxer,) Kill ‘Em All 2 has not achieved high ratings, but it is just as action-packed and fun as his other work, making it well worth watching.
Kill ’em All 2: This action-packed sequel follows retired spies Phillip and Suzanne, who are forced out of hiding when Vlad, the brother of a previous adversary, discovers their location. Released in 2024, the film delves into the duo’s struggle to evade a new wave of revenge-driven threats.
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Van Damme is a Belgian martial artist and actor known for his roles in 1980s and 1990s action films like Bloodsport and Kickboxer. Nicknamed “The Muscles from Brussels,” he gained fame for his high-flying kicks, charisma, and unique blend of martial arts and acting.
