Belonging to the same era as cult action star Arnold Schwarzenegger, and being his competitor was a daunting proposition that Jean-Claude Van Damme was faced with. But the Belgian star brought his unique martial arts expertise to the fore and carved a niche for himself in the industry without falling prey to comparisons.
Having done a gamut of blockbuster action films, Van Damme has always been a sought-after star with directors in the genre. The Double Impact actor was approached by none other than Sylvester Stallone for The Expendables, which saw a star-studded cast of veteran action superstars sharing screen space together. Van Damme though turned down the offer despite being offered a hefty paycheck.
Why Jean-Claude Van Damme Refused To Be Part Of The Expendables
Jean-Claude Van Damme’s penchant and flair for action, has made him one of Hollywood’s biggest stars over the years. The Bloodsport actor, who has created a unique space for himself in the genre, was given the opportunity to be part of a glittering ensemble in Sylvester Stallone’s The Expendables.
With Stallone himself headlining the film along with the likes of Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Steve Austin, and others, Van Damme’s inclusion would have added an extra spark as well. The Belgian star though, was not impressed by the pedigree involved and turned down Stallone’s offer. In a quote that appeared in IMDb (via Total Film), Van Damme detailed the reasons for his refusal despite potentially being promised a huge salary for the film.
“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 ‘what is my character?’ So I didn’t do the movie.”
Although Van Damme took the high ground and rejected his role in The Expendables, the star subsequently signed on for The Expendables 2, in which he played the antagonist.
Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Secret To Performing Stunts In His 60s
Jean-Claude Van Damme has been widely recognized as one of Hollywood’s biggest and most popular exponents of martial arts. The action star who has showcased his skills in multiple films over the years, is currently in his 60s but is still able to land his stunts perfectly. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Van Damme shared the secret behind his amazing fitness and how he modified his regime with age.
“Stretching has to be consistent, and not even in a gym. You can do it anywhere. I’m stretching all the time, like a cat. So right now I’m doing very well. I’m also taking lots of good products — dried fruits and ribose — I’m like a pharmacy.”
While the Kickboxer star remained practical and realistic about aging, he believed that embracing the inevitable process instead of denying it, allowed him to work on his fitness accordingly.
