Kickboxer Game by Ex-Call of Duty Devs: Will Jean-Claude Van Damme Star?

Excitement is building as former Call of Duty developers at Los Angeles-based Force Multiplier Studios embark on creating the first-ever video game inspired by the iconic Kickboxer martial arts film franchise. In collaboration with filmmakers Dimitri Logothetis and Rob Hickman, who spearheaded the recent Kickboxer trilogy reboot, this game promises to bring the beloved series to a new interactive medium.

The original Kickboxer film, which hit theaters in 1989 and starred martial arts legend Jean-Claude Van Damme, was a major success, leading to numerous sequels. While Van Damme did not return for Kickboxer 2, he reprised his role in the 2016 reboot, Kickboxer: Vengeance, alongside Dave Bautista, and in its 2018 sequel, Kickboxer: Retaliation. The third installment, Kickboxer: Armageddon, is slated to begin filming this spring.

Although the Kickboxer video game is still in early development, Force Multiplier Studios is enthusiastic about blending the franchise's compelling narrative with high-energy martial arts action. The studio aims to deliver an intense brawler that features iconic characters and settings from the series, which originally showcased Jean-Claude Van Damme. When asked if Van Damme would star in the game, the studio remained coy, with Brent Friedman, Chief Creative Officer, stating, "We're all massive fans of the Kickboxer movies, and we have the licenses to many characters and likenesses from the Kickboxer universe that we're very excited about. We'll have much more to share later in the year."

Force Multiplier Studios, co-founded by industry veterans Jeremy Breslau, Brent Friedman, and Charnjit Bansi, brings a wealth of experience from working on renowned titles like Call of Duty, Borderlands, Halo, Tomb Raider, and Mortal Kombat. Their commitment to innovation is evident in their first game, Karnivus, a combat shooter released within Fortnite. Now, with Kickboxer, they aim to elevate the fighting genre by introducing new environmental combat mechanics and taking players on a journey through exotic locations.

Dimitri Logothetis, writer and director of Kickboxer: Armageddon, expressed his enthusiasm for the project: "Kickboxer is more than just a film; it's a cultural phenomenon that has inspired generations of fans and martial artists alike. I'm thrilled to collaborate with the incredible team at Force Multiplier Studios. We're going to create a gaming experience that pays tribute to the original film while introducing exciting new gameplay elements."

Jeremy Breslau, CEO of Force Multiplier Studios, shared his vision for the game: "Our passion is innovation, and just as we're innovating on Fortnite Creative with our own environmental combat shooter experience Karnivus, we can’t wait to innovate the fighting genre with a dynamic brawler that will empower players to be the best kickboxers in the world, traveling to exotic locales and introducing new environmental combat mechanics to deliver a martial arts experience like never before."

While no screenshots or trailers have been released yet, fans can look forward to more details later this year as the development progresses.