When it comes to martial arts action stars, few names are as synonymous as the 1980s and 1990s peak era of roundhouse kicks than Jean-Claude Van Damme. His action films left a mark on an entire generation that grew up with them. Some personal favorites include Double Impact (1991), a revenge plot where JCVD plays twin brothers, and the post-apocalyptic Cyborg (1989) because it’s just so incredibly strange. You may be wondering where the Kickboxer (1989) star has been, but rest assured, he’s back.
Van Damme is back in Raid Pacific, a World War II thriller, based on real events, that takes place just after the December 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Variety says the story follows “Captain William Pierce (Van Damme), a decorated U.S.-French submarine commander tasked with a high-stakes mission: to transport a small unit of Marine raiders deep into enemy-controlled waters. Their objective is to destroy a critical Japanese outpost — one that could shift the balance of the war.” Other notable wartime submarine epics include Das Boot (1981), The Hunt for Red October (1990), U-571 (2000), and K-19: The Widowmaker (2002).
Raid Pacific will be directed by Steven Luke. Luke is known for his acting roles in World War II films that featured veteran action stars. For example, Luke was in War Pigs (2015) with Dolph Lundgren and Wunderland (2018) with Tom Berenger. Operation Seawolf (2022) was directed by Luke and starred Lundgren. Luke described his upcoming thriller as “exactly the kind of story I’m drawn to — grounded in real history, but driven by deeply human stakes.” He has ample experience with WWII stories, both in front of and behind the camera, so he’s well-suited to tackle another.
Dean Bloxom, a former mortgage broker, created Deano Productions and will be shopping Raid Pacific at Cannes with Steven Luke as part of Company Productions and Andre Relis of VMI Worldwide. Relis described Raid Pacific as a “powerful cinematic experience” in the following statement:
“A story of resilience, sacrifice and leadership under extreme pressure, with Jean-Claude Van Damme bringing gravitas and intensity to the role of Captain Pierce, and Steven Luke’s proven ability to craft compelling WWII narratives, this film promises to deliver a powerful cinematic experience.”
It is safe to say that the upcoming film will be carried on the shoulders of Van Damme. “Having Jean-Claude Van Damme step into the role of Captain Pierce brings a unique intensity and emotional depth that will elevate this production in a powerful way,” continued Bloxom, “I’m excited to connect audiences with this intense, immersive journey beneath the surface of the Pacific.”
Van Damme’s legacy has been tainted by his personal life and recent allegations, but if we can separate art from artist, Raid Pacific could be a return to form for the action icon.
- Birthdate
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October 18, 1960
- Birthplace
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Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Brussels, Belgium
- Birthname
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Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
