Van Damme Returns to Big Action: He Will Have to Challenge the Yakuza

The actor has agreed to participate in a new project by French director and producer Jérémy Zag, known as the creator of the popular animated franchise "Ladybug and Cat Noir." The plot centers around a former world martial arts champion who has long left his dangerous past behind and dedicated himself to his family. However, his peaceful life comes to an end when his daughter is kidnapped by members of the yakuza in Japan. To save his child, the hero must once again engage in a brutal struggle with the criminal underworld. According to the director's vision, the new film is intended to combine the spectacle of "Bloodsport," the tense atmosphere of "Hostage," and the dynamics of "John Wick." At the same time, the creators promise to pay special attention to the emotional aspect of the story — the relationship between father and daughter. Jérémy Zag admitted that he had dreamed of working with Van Damme for many years. It was the Belgian actor's films that once inspired him to take up karate. The director has been practicing kyokushin for over 30 years and intends to use his own experience in staging the fight scenes. According to Zag, Van Damme had long been reluctant to return to such roles, but he agreed after discussing the concept of the future film. The director hopes to create a large-scale film that will serve as a kind of love letter to classic martial arts action films. Van Damme will be joined on set by professional athletes, including Armenian mixed martial artist Melik Baghdasaryan and French world champion in Muay Thai and kickboxing Cyril Benzakem. Filming for "Katana" is scheduled for April to June 2027. It will take place in Japan, France, and Los Angeles. The production will be handled by Division Z in collaboration with the Japanese company Wowow Bridge. The release date for the film has not yet been announced. For Van Damme, this new project will mark a return to the genre that brought him worldwide fame. The actor became famous for his roles in films such as "Bloodsport," "Kickboxer," "Double Impact," and "Universal Soldier," becoming one of the main heroes of the classic action movie era.