Action movie iconJean-Claude Van Dammereveals that there was once a discussion about pitting him against fellow action star and long-time rivalSteven Seagalin Las Vegas. Speaking withThe Telegraph, Van Damme began diplomatically when discussing Seagal and their rivalry, before revealing that the former head of Sony Pictures, Peter Guber, had once suggested a Van Damme versus Seagal fight at The Mirage. With the stars receiving $20 million apiece.
“The first movie I saw of his, I said, ‘This guy’s going to make it, he’s very charismatic.’ Even now, with his overweight years, he’s got this Steven Seagal way of talking…They were having an idea to have a fight between me and Steven at The Mirage [the Las Vegas casino resort]. Twenty million each. He didn’t take the fight.”
During the interview, Van Damme brought up the feud between himself and Seagal without any prompting, with the Bloodsport star seemingly explaining what his strategy would have been (and would likely still be) should the pair ever come to blows.
“If him and I fight, I run faster than him – much faster. I would run away. He’s going to attempt to catch me, he’s going to get out of shape. I come back and fight. Do you like the technique?”
Throughout the 80s and 90s, both Van Damme and Seagal were two of the most in-demand action stars on screen. The battle began when Seagal belittled Van Damme’s martial arts credentials while appearing onThe Arsenio Hall Show. “I think that’s a matter of opinion he was champion anywhere. I’m not being catty or anything, I wish the guy all the best. But there are an awful lot of people who say that’s not true,” Seagal said at the time.
Jean-Claude Van Damme or Steven Seagal: Who had the Better Career?
Jean-Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal: Who would win in a fight? Who can take a joke? Which films held up better? And who’s still going strong?
Van Damme Challenged Seagal to a Fight at a Party Hosted by Sylvester Stallone
But things really heated up at a partyRockystar Sylvester Stallone was throwing in 1991. Following the comments made by Seagal, Van Damme challenged the Under Siege star to a fight outside. However, despite Seagal’s doubts overVan Damme’s martial arts prowess, he did not attend and instead left the Universal Soldier waiting out in the cold.
Thus, we shall likely never find out who would win either an unsanctioned throwing of fists or an official Las Vegas bout. But no doubt action fans have their opinions.
In fictional fighting, Jean-Claude Van Damme will reportedly return to theatersin the upcoming neo-noir thriller,Darkness of Man.
Darkness of Manwill follow Van Damme as an Interpol operative as the action star takes on “the role of father figure to Jayden, the son of an informant killed in a routine raid gone wrong. Years later, Hatch finds himself protecting Jayden and his uncle from a group of merciless gangs in an all-out turf war, stopping at nothing to protect Jayden and fight anyone getting in his way — including supposed allies with hidden agendas and nefarious intents.”
Darkness of Manwill be written and directed by James Cullen Bressack, who is best known for the likes of Fortress with Bruce Willis and Hot Seat starring Mel Gibson. The movie is cureently listed as ‘Coming Soon.’
