Hollywood star Jean-Claude Van Damme, known for movies like Bloodsport and Lionheart, has seemingly put his long-standing feud with fellow actor Steven Seagal to rest. Both martial arts action stars are known for their legendary feud where they almost came to blows. It all started with the Under Siege actor questioning Van Damme’s skills.
They have been in conflict since and have often been seen making negative comments about each other. However, in a recent interview with The Daily Mail, the Kickboxer star has said that he has no bad blood with Seagal anymore.
Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Surprising Shift With Steven Seagal
In a surprising turn of events, action star Jean-Claude Van Damme has denied having any issues with Steven Seagal. When asked about his years-long feud with the 71-year-old actor in a recent interview with The Daily Mail, he said,
I have no problem with Steven. When you’re young you want to be the macho man. If I saw him today, I’d have no problem.
The statement was followed by what he said in an earlier interview with The Telegraph, where he remarked on Seagal’s charisma before adding, “Even now, with his overweight years, he’s got this Steven Seagal way of talking…”
He also revealed that he was offered $20 million to fight the Above the Law actor, however, Seagal ultimately declined. “They were having an idea to have a fight between me and Steven at The Mirage. Twenty million each. He didn’t take the fight,” he said during the interview before he shared his strategic approach to their hypothetical showdown.
A Brief Look at Jean-Claude Van Damme And Steven Seagal’s Feud
Jean-Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal’s feud dates back to the 90s when the latter made an appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show. During his appearance on the chat show, he questioned Van Damme’s champion status. “I wish the guy all the best. But there are an awful lot of people who say that’s not true,” he said.
It was followed by the Hard Target star, who shared that he confronted Seagal regarding his statement about him. It continued as he later said that the Cartels actor was not in shape. “He’s not in good physical shape, absolutely not,” he said, as per Manly Movie.
Tensions reportedly escalated at Sylvester Stallone’s party, where Van Damme challenged Seagal to fight, but he avoided the confrontation. The feud continued when the latter downplayed the 63-year-old actor on his reality show, claiming that it would be like “squashing an ant.”
Van Damme also did not back out as he said that he would love to see Seagal in the Expendables threequel, and suggested, “He should lose some weight.” The action star claimed that although he “doesn’t like [him] much,” he would love to see him in the franchise.
Considering their statements about each other throughout the years, the new revelation has come as a surprise to many, as the actor and martial artist claimed that he has no grudges or negative feelings towards Steven Seagal.
