Jean-Claude Van Damme is a Belgian martial artist known for starring in classic movies such as Bloodsport, Kickboxer, and, Lionheart. He is a veteran actor along with the likes of Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger in the action genre.
Talking about his fellow actors, Jean-Claude Van Damme once said that Arnold Schwarzenegger’s movies did not move him at all (emotionally). Preferring Sylvester Stallone over Schwarzenegger, the actor insulted the Terminator star while praising everyone else!
When Jean-Claude Van Damme Insulted Arnold Schwarzenegger
When the legends of Hollywood, namely, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, were at war with each other over who had the better movies, the world watched the duo battle it out. With chaotic movies and trying to kill as many on-screen characters as possible, Schwarzenegger and Stallone had quite a fight.
And in that fight, people used to take sides on who is the better actor. With Stallone gaining fame for movies like Rambo and Rocky, Schwarzenegger starred in movies like The Terminator and Predator. With a difference in the characters that both actors portrayed on-screen, Jean-Claude Van Damme had some thoughts about who’s better. As per the actor’s statements on IMDB, he praised every actor except Arnold Schwarzenegger!
“I have lots of respect for Christopher Walken. Did you see him in King of New York (1990)? Steve McQueen, and Paul Newman are terrific. I feel their movies have quality. Rocky and Rambo were filled with drama and passion. Arnold doesn’t move me. I like movies like The Godfather (1972) and The Deer Hunter (1978). These are films with real solid acting, real talent.”
Starring alongside the duo in The Expendables 2, Jean-Claude Van Damme had initially rejected Sylvester Stallone’s pitch for The Expendables because he wanted to know his character rather than the money!
When Jean-Claude Van Damme Rejected The Expendables
Before the actor decided to join the veteran star cast for The Expendables 2, Jean-Claude Van Damme was approached by Sylvester Stallone for The Expendables. Talking about why he refused the role, Van Damme revealed that he wasn’t interested in money at all.
“Stallone gave me a part in his next movie, but I ask him about the subject, about the story. He said, ‘You’re gonna make lots of money.’ I don’t want to hear that, I want to hear what was my character. He was unable to tell what it’s going to be. [Stallone said:] ‘You know, uh, well, the fighting will be good.’ [So I said:] ‘Syl, what is my character?’ So I didn’t do the movie.”
Jean-Claude Van Damme later joined the cast in The Expendables 2 which received a rating of 6.6/10 on IMDB and 67% on Rotten Tomatoes. The 2012 film is available to rent on Apple TV+ in the U.S.
