The Bloodsport franchise consists of American martial arts-sports action-thriller installments including two theatrical films, two straight-to-home video sequels, and one limited release reimagined genderswap-followup. Based on the purported true story experiences of Frank Dux, which have since been called into question, the series centers around the original story written by Sheldon Lettich. The plot involves American characters who compete in underground life-or-death mixed martial arts tournaments, while also competing for the honor of their instructors.
Bloodsport | |
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![]() Official film series logo | |
Based on | Characters created by Sheldon Lettich |
Starring |
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Distributed by |
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Release date | 1988-present |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | >$11,500,000 (Total of 2 films) |
Box office | $65,697,460 (Total of 3 theatrical films) |
Though Bloodsport was a box office success in 1988,[1] it was initially poorly received critically.[2][3] It has since earned a significant following with modern-day analysis. Film critics have called the movie Van Damme's "crowning achievement",[4] and "magnum opus";[5] categorized as one of "the best of the best",[6] Bloodsport has earned its status as a cult classic.[7][8][9][10] While the sequels have experienced mixed levels of success, the 1997 sequel was met with a warm critical response, with praise directed towards its cast namely Daniel Bernhardt's leading role.[11] While it met expectations of the audience with some calling it superior to the original,[12] its following installments were released via home video debut leading deplinishing financial income. Critical reception thereafter had likewise been meager: the 1998 follow-up received mixed reception;[13][14] the 1999 installment was met with predominantly negative reactions;[15][16] and the 2017 follow-up was met with praise for its graphic fight scenes, with criticism directed at its script and production values.[17][18] The franchise as a whole has been a financial success[dubious – discuss] for its associated studios.[1][19][20]
The franchise will continue, with a new Bloodsport movie in active development, with Chad Stahelski and David Leitch's studio 87North Productions involved and the duo in early negotiations to serve as co-directors.[21]
Films
editFilm | U.S. release date | Director(s) | Screenwriter(s) | Story by | Producer(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bloodsport | February 26, 1988 | Newt Arnold | Mel Friedman, Sheldon Lettich & Christopher Cosby | Sheldon Lettich | Mark DiSalle |
Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite | March 1, 1996 | Alan Mehrez | Jeff Schechter | Alan Mehrez | |
Bloodsport III | May 13, 1997 | James Williams | |||
Bloodsport 4: The Dark Kumite | March 30, 1999 | Elvis Restaino | George Saunders | ||
Lady Bloodfight | May 5, 2017 | Chris Nahon | Bey Logan & Judd Bloch | Bey Logan | Bey Logan, Zev Foreman & Nicolas Chartier |
Untitled film | TBA | David Leitch & Chad Stahelski | Phillip Noyce, James McTeigue, Craig Rosenberg & Robert Mark Kamen | Phillip Noyce & Robert Mark Kamen | Chris Brown, Alberto Lensi & Edward R. Pressman |
Bloodsport (1988)
editFrank Dux is an U.S. Army Captain who has been trained in mixed martial arts for much of his life by sensei Senzo Tanaka. Specializing in ninjutsu, Senzo considers Dux a part of his clan and begins to train the latter for a secretive competition in Hong Kong China known as the Kumite. Though a request for leave is rejected by his superiors upon request, Dux goes to China with his sensei. Through the difficult experiences of training for and gaining access to the elite underground organization of fighters, Frank begins a romantic relationship with a journalist named Janice. As the couple grow closer together, a number of militant officers begin to suspect that Dux has gone AWOL and initiate an investigation. After completing the dangerous initiatory training regimen, Dux is accepted into the Kumite. Determined to now rise to the occasion, Frank begins to realize that unless he succeeds he may not survive.[2][3][22]
Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite (1996)
editCriminal thief and streetfighter Alex Cardo, is arrested and sentenced to imprisonment after being caught in the act of stealing an ancient katana sword from a wealthy businessman named David Leung in East Asia. Living his days serving his sentence in a notoriously brutal prison, Alex finds he is repeatedly beaten by residents and the guards. Finding a friend and mentor figure in its walls named Master Sun, his life changes as Sun begins to train him in his practice. Disciplined extensively by his recent ally, including in the most lethal of styles which the master calls "The Iron Hand", Alex learns about a secretive fight-to-the-death tournament known as the Kumite. When he vows to win the championship for his mentor after he completes his sentence, his release comes sooner than expected. Presented with a mission by Leung, to recover the katana as an award for the winning Kumite, Alex enters the establishment determined to defeat each challenger. Battling various competitors in difficult circumstances, he begins to question weather he will succeed in his personal quest when he learns that the head guard from the penitentiary is the greatest participant in the Kumite. Despite the surmounting odds, Alex determines to keep his promise to Master Sun, with success while keeping his life.[22][12][23][24]
Bloodsport III (1997)
editAfter winning the Kumite, Alex Cardo works as an art dealer with an upstanding personal life who no longer has desires to compete in tournaments. When Alex declines the proposal of a millionaire named Jacques Duvalier who invites him to a Kumite that he is sponsoring, Jacques has his mentor and father figure Sun executed. Grieving his loss, and wanting revenge for the murder of his mentor, Alex is directed by David Leung to Sun's brother Master Makato. After previously meeting briefly, Sun's brother known by the Kumite as "the Judge", Makato begins to train Alex and build on the discipline he learned from Master Sun. With the decision to compete and honor the life of his mentor, he is faced with his greatest challenge yet in Duvalier's henchman; the most powerful fighter the Kumite has known named Beast.[22][13][25][26][14]
Bloodsport 4: The Dark Kumite (1999)
editAgent John Keller takes an undercover mission at a brutal prison named Fuego Penal, to investigate the disappearances of various inmates. Within its walls he discovers that underground fights known as the Kumite are taking place under the organization of a dangerous man named Justin Caesar. Realizing that the inmates are being forced to compete to the death, Keller becomes involved with the competition. Joining the Kumite, and hoping to disassemble the corrupt establishment from the inside out, he must survive to become the champion to realize this goal.[22][27][15][16]
Lady Bloodfight (2017)
editJane Jones is trained by a martial arts champion named Master Shu. As Jane becomes noteworthy within the underground fighting community, Master Shu begins to train her for an all-female sect of the Kumite. For months the duo train rigorously to meet the expectations of the tournament. With the skills she has practiced and mastered, she must defeat some of the world's greatest and most deadly fighters, including Ling whose sensei named Master Wai was the former best friend turned arch enemy of Master Shu. As Jane rises through the ranks, she competes for herself and for the honor of her trainer and friend.[17][18]
Untitled film (TBA)
editIn May 2011, a reboot of the franchise was announced to be in development. Phillip Noyce signed on as director, with a script by Robert Mark Kamen. The plot was said to follow an American who travels to Brazil to recover from violent experiences he had in Afghanistan, who eventually gets involved in a martial arts contest. Edward R. Pressman is serving as producer, while Mark DiSalles is attached as executive producer.[28] Jean-Claude Van Damme, who had publicly expressed interest in collaborating on the project in some capacity, will not appear in the film nor be involved.[29] In October 2012, Kamen stated that Van Damme will not be involved because the film has no connection to the original, stating: "This film resembles the original in title only. …This is a character driven, politically motivated film."[30]
By July 2013, James McTeigue signed on as director. The script, he co-wrote with Craig Rosenberg, will be a rewrite of the original draft by Robert Mark Kamen and will be based on the original story by Kamen and Phillip Noyce. The plot will detail the life of 21st century mercenaries, as they fight in the underground world of Brazilian Vale Tudo matches. The project will be a joint-venture production between Relativity Media, Pictures in Paradise Pty Ltd, and Trans-American Films International. Pressman will serve as producer alongside Chris Brown, and Alberto Lensi. Principal photography was scheduled to commence during the first quarter of 2014, in Australia and Brazil.[31]
In June 2019 after various delays, it was announced that Chad Stahelski and David Leitch had entered early negotiations to serve as co-directors of the film. Discussions for Van Damme to appear feature in the movie to some capacity was ongoing, while franchise creator Sheldon Lettich stated that the filmmakers had approached him with their pitch; acknowledging his excitement for the project.[21]
Main cast and characters
editCharacter | Film | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bloodsport | Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite |
Bloodsport III | Bloodsport 4: The Dark Kumite |
Lady Bloodfight | |
Cpt. Frank Dux | Jean-Claude Van Damme Pierre RafiniY |
||||
Master Senzo Tanaka | Roy Chiao | ||||
Ray Jackson | Donald Gibb | ||||
Alex Cardo | Daniel Bernhardt | ||||
Master Sun | James Hong | ||||
Master Macado The Judge |
Hee-il Cho | Hee-il Cho Gerald OkamuraV |
|||
David Leung | Pat Morita | ||||
Jason Cardo | David Schatz | ||||
Agent John Keller | Daniel Bernhardt | ||||
Jane Jones | Amy Johnston | ||||
Master Shu | Muriel Hofmann | ||||
Ling | Jenny Wu | ||||
Master Wai | Kathy Wu |
Additional crew and production details
editTitle | Crew/Detail | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Composer | Cinematographer | Editor(s) | Production companies | Distributing companies | Running time | ||
Bloodsport | Paul Hertzog | David Worth | Carl Kress | Cannon International | Warner Bros. Pictures U.G.C. Worldwide Distribution |
92 min | |
Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite |
Stephen Edwards | Jacques Haitkin | J. Douglas Seeling | FM Entertainment International N.V. | Transcontinental Film Corporation | 86 min | |
Bloodsport III | Kevan Lind | Ron Cabreros | FM Home Video | 92 min | |||
Bloodsport 4: The Dark Kumite |
Alex Wurman | George Mooradian | Frank Sacco | Avalanche Home Entertainment | 100 min | ||
Lady Bloodfight | Mark Kilian | Michel Abramowicz | Chris Nahon Frédéric Thoraval |
B&E Productions Voltage Productions |
Voltage Pictures Vertical Entertainment |
100 min | |
Untitled film | TBA | TBA | TBA | Relativity Media 87North Productions Pictures in Paradise Pty Ltd Trans-American Films International |
Warner Bros. Pictures | TBA |
Reception
editBox office and financial performance
editFilm | Box office gross | Box office ranking | Budget | Worldwide total gross income |
Ref. | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North America | Other territories | Worldwide | All-time North America |
All-time worldwide | ||||
Bloodsport | $11,806,119 | $53,193,881 | $65,000,000 | #4,784 | #6,536 | $1,500,000 | $63,500,000 | [1][32][33] |
Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite | $684,351 | — | $684,351 | #8,983 | #14,898 | Information not publicly available | <$684,351 | [19] |
Bloodsport III | — | — | — | — | — | Information not publicly available | Information not publicly available | |
Bloodsport 4: The Dark Kumite | — | — | — | — | — | Information not publicly available | Information not publicly available | |
Lady Bloodfight | — | $13,109 | $13,109 | #17,945 | #26,036 | $10,000,000 | -$9,986,891 | [20] |
Totals | $12,490,470 | $53,206,990 | $65,697,460 | x̄ #6,342 | x̄ #9,494 | >$11,500,000 | ≥$54,197,460 |
Critical and public response
editTitle | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic |
---|---|---|
Bloodsport | 40% (25 reviews)[34] | 29/100 (5 reviews)[35] |
Bloodsport II: The New Kumite | —[36] | — |
Bloodport III | —[37] | — |
Bloodport 4: The Dark Kumite | —[38] | — |
Lady Bloodfight | 40% (5 reviews)[39] | — (2 reviews)[40] |
References
edit- ^ a b c "Bloodsport". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ a b Klady, Leonard (February 29, 1988). "Movie Review: 'Bloodsport' a Blow for Cliches". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ a b Kehr, Dave (April 22, 1988). "Action Film 'Bloodsport' Fails in Its Motive and Message". CHicago Tribune. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ Curran, Brad (June 2, 2022). "Every Jean-Claude Van Damme Movie Ranked From Worst To Best". ScreenRant. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ Carter, Will (February 9, 2018). "The Top 10 Reasons Why 'Bloodsport' is Van Damme's Magnum Opus". Ultimate Action Movies. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ Dee, Jake (February 8, 2018). "The Test of Time: Bloodsport (1988)". JoBlo. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ Serrano, Shea (January 26, 2021). "The 12.2 Things That Make 'Bloodsport' the Perfect Cult Movie". The Ringer. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ O'Shea, Tyler (January 11, 2018). "'Bloodsport' Is A Cult Classic Fighting Film". JokerMag. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ Polowy, Kevin (February 24, 2023). "'Bloodsport' at 35: How a desperate Jean-Claude Van Damme begged his way into the action film that made him a star". Yahoo!. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ Eoin (2018). "Bloodsport: 30th Anniversary Screening + Q&A with Writer Sheldon Lettich!". The Action Elite. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ Curran, Brad (November 13, 2020). "Bloodsport 2: Why Daniel Bernhardt Replaced Jean-Claude Van Damme". ScreenRant. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ a b Ryan, Tony (February 24, 2015). "Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite". Far East Films. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ a b Ryan, Tony (February 24, 2015). "Bloodsport III". Far East Films. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ a b Babcock, Andrew (November 5, 2019). "Daniel Bernhardt Keeps The Kumite Alive and Kicking in 'Bloodsport 3'". Ultimate Action Movie Club. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ a b "Review: Bloodsport 4". Agree or Die. 29 April 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ a b "Bloodsport: The Dark Kumite (1999) Review". The Action Elite. 30 May 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ a b Curran, Brad (January 24, 2021). "Lady Bloodfight Is The Gender-Swapped Bloodsport You've Never Heard Of". Screent Rant. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ a b Kaveleryan, Artem (2016). "Lady Bloodfight (2016) Review". The Action Elite. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
All in all, Lady Bloodfight is basically a bastardized sequel to Bloodsport or a gender flipped remake if that's more to your liking.
- ^ a b "Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ a b "Lady Bloodfight". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ a b Ultimate Action Movies (June 13, 2019). ""UAMC News: 'John Wick' Directors Looking to Helm 'Bloodsport' Reboot"". Ultimate Action Movies. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Curran, Brad (October 31, 2020). "Bloodsport: The Martial Arts Movie Series Ranked From Worst To Best". ScreenRant. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ Eoin (17 January 2013). "Bloodsport 2 (1996) Review". The Action Elite. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ Johnson, Ben (February 13, 2022). "Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite (1996)". Kung Fu Movie Guide. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ "Bloodsport III (1996) Review". The Action Elite. 26 January 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ Johnson, Ben (April 3, 2023). "Bloodsport III (1997)". Kung Fu Movie Guide. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ Babcock, Andrew (October 10, 2019). "A Case for Daniel Bernhardt and 'Bloodsport 4: The Dark Kumite' (1999)". Ultimate Action Movies Club. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ Goodridge, Mike (May 17, 2011). ""Pressman signs Noyce for Bloodsport; lands Venice slot for Moth Diaries"". Screen Daily. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
- ^ Jean-Claud Vandammelibrary (July 1, 2011). "VAN DAMME - The Truth about Bloodsport The Reboot in 2014"". Jean-Claude Vandammelibrary. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
- ^ Lussier, Germain (October 8, 2012). ""Writer Doesn't Think Jean Claude Van Damme Should Be In 'Bloodsport' Remake"". Slash Film. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
- ^ McNary, Dave (July 24, 2013). ""Relativity Reboots Jean-Claude Van Damme's 'Bloodsport' (EXCLUSIVE)"". Variety. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
- ^ "Bloodsport". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ Beresford, Jack (February 28, 2019). "11 Ultimate Facts about Jean-Claude Van Damme's Bloodsport". Ultimate Action Movies. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ "Bloodsport". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. 15 May 2007. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "Bloodsport". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "Bloodsport II: The New Kumite". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. 22 June 2001. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "Bloodsport III". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. 25 June 2001. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "Bloodsport 4: The Dakr Kumite". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. 5 September 2010. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "Lady Bloodfight". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. 5 May 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "Lady Bloodfight". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved June 26, 2022.