Action movie culture experienced a boom in the 1980s. Hollywood heavyweights Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone competed to see who could land the best roles, have the largest muscles, and score the most hits in their respective blockbusters. However, as the new decade began, the next wave of action stars began to emerge, led by the likes of Jean-Claude Van Damme (JCVD) and Steven Seagal, who gained widespread recognition.
Well, it seems like even Hollywood’s mightiest have weighed in on this titanic tussle! Indeed, a long-running debate was reignited by none other than the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s god of thunder, Chris Hemsworth. No, it’s not Seagal, but according to the Australian powerhouse, Van Damme is the undisputed champ of adrenaline-pumping thrills.
No, it’s not Seagal, but according to the Australian powerhouse, Van Damme is the undisputed champ of adrenaline-pumping thrills.
MCU Star Chris Hemsworth Crowns Jean-Claude Van Damme as Action King
Sorry, Steven Seagal, but according to the one and only God of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Chris Hemsworth, Jean-Claude Van Damme takes the crown for delivering the best action performance of all time.
In a recent interview with Hot Ones, the Thor star revealed that JCVD’s iconic roles in Bloodsport and Kickboxer have secured a special place in the former’s heart, solidifying him as the ultimate action hero.
The greatest action movie performance of all time was two of my favorite films, Kickboxer, and Bloodsport. Now you know how you shoot action these days…been more sophisticated but there’s been growth. And you watch them now, they are kind of very..everything’s a not of slow motion and big kicks and so on..but Kickboxer and Bloodsport are probably two of my most favorite.
Well, we all know if there’s one thing action movie fans love, it’s a good old-fashioned rivalry between two macho action stars. And when it comes to epic showdowns, few have been as storied as the long-standing feud between Jean-Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal.
Though Seagal gained recognition as a tough-as-nails action star, Hemsworth seems to think that Van Damme’s distinct combination of martial arts skill and charisma on screen really makes him stand out!
Inside the Alleged Conflict Between Steven Seagal & Jean-Claude Van Damme
Both Jean-Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal rose to fame in the late 80s and early 90s as martial arts masters and leading men in the movie industry. With their chiseled physiques, killer attitudes, and impressive fighting skills, they quickly became fan favorites and box office draws.
However, while they appeared to be brothers in arms on the surface, tensions were reportedly brewing behind the scenes.
During an appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show, Seagal was asked about JCVD’s martial arts skills and his background as a champion before he became an actor. The former was reluctant to answer at first. But later, he told the host, Arsenio Hall:
I just promised all my mentors that I was going to be a good boy. I think that it’s a matter of opinion that he was a champion anywhere. I’m not being catty or anything — I wish the guy all the best — but there are an awful lot of people who say that that’s not true.
The feud reached a boiling point when Van Damme reportedly challenged Seagal to a real-life fight in the late 90s. While the details of the altercation are murky, the incident only added fuel to the fire of their alleged rivalry.
Van Damme spoke politely about Seagal and their rivalry in an interview with The Telegraph. Later, he revealed that Peter Guber, the former head of Sony Pictures, had once proposed a fight between Van Damme and Seagal. But the latter “didn’t take the fight”:
The first movie I saw of his, I said, ‘This guy’s going to make it, he’s very charismatic.’ Even now, with his overweight years, he’s got this Steven Seagal way of talking…They were having an idea to have a fight between me and Steven at The Mirage [the Las Vegas casino resort]. Twenty million each. He didn’t take the fight.
Naturally, Van Damme brought up his rivalry with Seagal during the interview, with the Bloodsport actor outlining his plan for what he would have done—should the two ever fight.
If him and I fight, I run faster than him – much faster. I would run away. He’s going to try to catch me, he’s going to get out of shape.
Whether you’re a die-hard action movie fan or simply appreciate a good ol’ fashioned beatdown, it’s difficult to ignore the influence that Van Damme has had on the genre. So, sorry Seagal, but when it comes to delivering the best action performance of all time, it looks like Van Damme is the one who takes the gold, according to Chris Hemsworth.
