Jean-Claude Van Damme dominated and starred in many action films in the 90s including Blood Sport, Double Impact, Lion Heart, Hard Target, Death Warrant, and so many more.
Now, according to Slashfilm, Van Damme is returning to action for an upcoming Amazon series. The action-comedy series is titled Jean-Claude Van Johnson. Currently, the show only has a pilot set up on Amazon but may eventually take off as a full-blown series.
In Jean-Claude Van Johnson, Van Damme has just come out of retirement only to once again return as his alter-ego Jean-Claude Van Johnson. His character is a private contractor who will star in a re-imagined action film version of “Huckleberry Finn” which puts him right in the brink of danger. But danger is something Van Johnson craves and he’ll also cross paths with the woman he loves Vanessa, a fellow operative.
In the series, Van Damme is really just the alias Van Johnson goes by so that he can do all the dangerous private contractor work. Some of the projects Van Johnson will participate in includes Double Team with Dennis Rodman and a Street Fighter movie. These films of course were all a cover for Van Johnson’s secret operations. In the series, Van Johnson also becomes depressed when he realizes he’s not the fit split fighting man he used to be.
Van Damme purposely makes fun of himself in the Amazon series. He’ll be arrogant both on film and during his private contracting projects. Jean-Claude Van Johnson will take place in a world where there are a lot of covert operatives working undercover as actors.
The writer for the series is Dave Callaham who pokes fun at the entertainment industry while incorporating plenty of action. Although he hasn’t officially been confirmed as part of the cast, David Schwimmer (Friends) may play Van, Johnson’s rival working for the same super secret organization.
Ridley Scott & David W. Zucker will serve as executive producers for Jean-Claude Van Johnson. Peter Atencio will be directing the action-comedy series.
Amazon’s upcoming pilot for Jean-Claude Van Johnson will become a full series assuming the pilot does well. Production for the series is expected to kickoff in Los Angeles beginning in May.