Just 2 Years After Bloodsport, Jean-Claude Van Damme Basically Made the Exact Same Martial Arts Movie Again

Although there are very few that would argue that Jean-Claude Van Dammeis a “great actor,” his incredible martial arts skills and rugged charisma make him the perfect person to lead action films, as many of his star vehicles have become reclaimed as cult classics. Van Damme first proved himself as a legitimate force to be reckoned with in the sports film Bloodsport, which was directed by Sheldon Lettich. The brutal, stylized exploration of underground fighting competitions opened up new opportunities for Van Damme, who was eager to capitalize on its success. While his subsequent film Lionhearthas more or less the same exact story and structure as Bloodsport, it's even more entertaining thanks to a more vulnerable performance by Van Damme and a more satisfying character arc.