With all the ’80s remakes we’ve heard rumoured over the past five years or so, I honestly can’t remember if Bloodsport was ever mentioned as a possibility. Nevertheless, it now appears to be happening, according to a report coming out of Cannes this week. The 1988 action flick is the movie that made Jean-Claude Van Damme a star (Breakin’ cameo notwithstanding), and it introduced the concept of mixed martial arts and no holds barred fighting to audiences years before the UFC ever existed. Considering the popularity of MMA nowadays, it makes a lot of sense that this movie should get an update right about now. However, the choice of director for the project is a bit surprising: Phillip Noyce, the man behind such thrillers as Salt, Clear and Present Danger and Patriot Games.

According to Screen Daily, the updated story for the Bloodsport remake will revolve around an Iraq war veteran who travels to Brazil to escape the violence he witnessed in Afghanistan, only to get pulled into a martial arts tournament. Because, of course you need to reference the Iraq war in a contemporary remake of Bloodsport! The script is being written by Robert Mark Kamen (The Karate Kid, The Transporter).

The massive success of The Karate Kid remake has no doubt contributed to the resurgence of tournament-based martial arts movies as well, but let’s not forget, The Karate Kid remake also had the power of Will and Jaden Smith behind it. Can a new version of Bloodsport be a hit? Should Van Damme be involved? What are your thoughts on this latest remake?