Karl Urban Stole Mortal Kombat Role Belgian Split King Jean-Claude Van Damme Publicly Campaigned for in $256M Franchise

Karl Urban Stole Mortal Kombat Role Belgian Split King Jean-Claude Van Damme Publicly Campaigned for in $256M Franchise
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Jean-Claude Van Damme, an action movie legend whose career spanned decades, had an unforgettable impression on the film industry. He established himself as a go-to martial artist and charismatic action star in the ’80s and ’90s because of his impressive skill set. The “Muscles from Brussels” continues to captivate viewers across the globe with his pursuit of exciting and action-packed jobs, even though he is now 62 years old.

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Fans of the Mortal Kombat video games were ecstatic at the announcement of his public push to portray the popular character Johnny Cage in the film series. Even though Karl Urban won the part in the forthcoming Mortal Kombat 2, Van Damme’s enthusiasm for action-packed roles is unparalleled.

Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Mortal Kombat Dream

Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Van Damme

Jean-Claude Van Damme, originally from Belgium, shot to fame in Hollywood because of his charismatic cinematic persona and remarkable martial arts talents. His early masterpieces Bloodsport and Kickboxer cemented his status as a major player in the action film industry.

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The actor’s acrobatic ability and fluid fighting style made him stand out from his peers and gain fans worldwide. Van Damme’s popularity skyrocketed when he starred in blockbusters like Universal Soldier, Double Impact, and Timecop.

The actor’s deadly fighting abilities and charisma made him the poster boy for the archetypal action hero. The success of the “Muscles from Brussels” guaranteed him a spot in the annals of action film history.

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The popularity of the Mortal Kombat movie in 2021 has heightened interest in the sequel Mortal Kombat 2. Johnny Cage, the brazen Hollywood actor with a propensity for martial arts, was expected to be among the fan-favorite characters.

Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Van Damme

Fans were astonished when Jean-Claude Van Damme openly expressed his desire to play Johnny Cage amid speculation over who may play the legendary role. The martial artist’s social media announcement went viral, with many people expressing eagerness to see the action icon play the role.

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Karl Urban Secures the Role

Karl Urban
Karl Urban

Unfortunately for Van Damme, his hopes of playing Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat 2 were dashed when Karl Urban was cast. The action legend shrugged off the setback and continued to promote a positive image of the action genre.

Despite being less than Jean-Claude Van Damme had planned for, the audience positively received Urban’s casting. Urban’s extensive résumé, which includes parts in Star Trek and The Boys, attests to his talent for giving his characters nuance and charm.

Fans of the series would undoubtedly be looking forward to seeing him as Johnny Cage. Even though Van Damme didn’t get the part of Johnny Cage, he’s still dedicated to giving performances that leave viewers breathless.

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Van Damme’s new film, Silent Kill, will see him leading a team of mercenaries into the dangerous jungle in quest of hidden riches, and it’s likely to be an action-packed thrill ride. Filming is scheduled to begin in 2023, and it will be a testament to Jean-Claude Van Damme’s boundless enthusiasm and commitment to giving his audience the kinds of heart-pounding thrill rides they want.

Source: Gamebyte

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Mabel Andrady

Written by Mabel Andrady

Articles Published: 694

Mabel, aka MJ, is a FandomWire Sr. Writer, pop-culture fanatic, and an MA in Health Demography holder. When she's not indulging in her guilty pleasure of penning everything Hollywood, Marvel & DC, she writes academic essays on COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS. With 2500+ articles published online, she brings a unique twist to entertainment writing. A jack-of-all-trades, MJ enjoys movies, writes/acts in plays, writes music, and dreams of being a successful actress. She offers a fresh perspective, making her writing a must-read for those seeking knowledge and entertainment.