Jean-Claude Van Damme will play the lead role in the Japanese film “Katana”, which centres on martial arts and a confrontation with the yakuza, reported Deadline.
The film will be directed by Frenchman Jeremy Zag, known for the film “Bloodsport”.
The plot centres on a former world boxing champion who has left his past behind. After the yakuza kidnap his daughter, he is forced to return to his fighting skills and venture into Japan’s criminal underworld to rescue her.
“I want to combine the power of ‘Bloodsport’, the intensity of ‘Taken’ and the energy of ‘John Wick’ in a deeply human story,” Zag said.
Alongside Van Damme, the film will feature martial arts masters, including Armenian MMA fighter Melsik Baghdasaryan and French world Muay Thai and kickboxing champion Cyril Benzaquen.
According to the director, fighters and champions of different generations from around the world will also take part in the project. Zag noted that Van Damme had long been reluctant to return to this kind of film, but agreed to the project after they had worked together.
The film will be produced by Division Z and the Japanese studio Wowow Bridge. Filming will take place in April, May and June 2027 in Japan, France and Los Angeles.
