The Wild History of Kickboxer (1989): A Broken Script, Lost Writers & Studio Lies

Step into the brutal world of Kickboxer (1989), the legendary martial arts movie that transformed Jean-Claude Van Damme from rising star to action icon. In this deep-dive documentary, we explore the complete behind-the-scenes story of how Kickboxer was made — from the original script that featured a completely different revenge plot, to the casting of real-life kickboxing champion Dennis Alexio, and the creative conflicts between producers and directors that almost derailed the film.

Discover how Van Damme choreographed most of the film’s fights himself, how Michel Qissi became the terrifying Tong Po, and how the entire movie was shot on location in Thailand and Hong Kong under grueling conditions. We break down every major decision, filming challenge, and the iconic training montages that made Kickboxer one of the most influential martial arts movies of all time.

Despite being trashed by critics, Kickboxer became a massive box office and home video success — spawning sequels, reboots, and cementing Muay Thai in popular culture. If you’re a fan of 80s action movies, Van Damme fight scenes, or classic martial arts cinema, this is the ultimate behind-the-scenes look at one of the genre’s most enduring titles.

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Sources:
Wiki
Viking Samurai Interviews With S Lettich and M Qissi.
Scott Adkins Interview With M Qissi
Fighter International
BackKicks Martial Arts Encyclopedia
Bulletproof Action
MrNiceGuy Reviews
JK Roaming
Black Belt Magazine
Inside Karate

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