Jean-Claude Van Damme is every late 80s and early 90s fan’s action idol and the champion who turned his martial arts skill into box-office success. At 62 years old, the Belgian actor still wows the crowd with his unwavering passion for action movies.
As he discussed his recent work on the film Darkness of Man, Van Damme talked about his possible final stint in an action movie and why he keeps on creating projects despite his age just like his fellow 80s and 90s movie stars.
Jean-Claude Van Damme Revealed Sylvester Stallone Won’t Stop Working
In his interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bloodsport actor Jean-Claude Van Damme discussed his plans in terms of making movies. The famed Muay Thai athlete also shared his reflection when it comes to accepting roles:
“I want to make one more big martial arts film. But I guess it’s not the time right now. Before I believed in destiny, but now I believe in synchronicity. So, if something doesn’t go my way, then it’s not supposed to go my way.”
When asked about his opinion on 80s and 90s actors who are still kicking and making action films, Van Damme shared something that Rocky star Sylvester Stallone told him in the past:
“I know an actor who did so many movies. He’s in his 70s and is still making movies, but still professional, and still wants to work and work. There’s nothing wrong with that. Stallone told me on The Expendables that he’d like to die on set.”
Stallone is already 77, but the Tulsa King star keeps on taking new projects. In an exclusive interview with Al Majalla, the Creed star admitted:
“All I want is to continue acting in these kinds of films, even though I often think of retiring, but then I find myself pushing forward.”
Like Stallone, Van Damme also hinted that he has no plans of retiring anytime soon. He confessed:
“When people ask me my age, I say I’m eternal.”
For these action legends, age is just a number, and their passion for the craft of acting and martial arts will always defy people’s expectations of them taking it slow just because they have reached a certain stage in life.
Jean-Claude Van Damme On The New Generation Of Action Stars
When asked about today’s batch of action movie stars, Jean-Claude Van Damme humbly said he does not consider himself a legend as the media portrays him, and he believes that the new rising star is somewhere out there:
“I’m not sure about the term legend. I’m just a normal guy, but the media can elevate you to a position where you look like a legend. So, I’m trying to be as close to possible to that word legend. But regarding the younger generation… one guy is out there, and he’s going to pop out soon. It’s a cycle. I don’t know where he is, but I’m telling you he exists somewhere.”
Wherever this generation’s worthy successors of Jean-Claude Van Damme and Sylvester Stallone can be found, they have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. While these two famed actors are not yet ready to lie low, fans can expect more surprise projects from the best action stars of Hollywood!
Sources: THR, Al Majalla
