By | Published January 11, 2010

During a taped press conference, Jean-Claude Van Damme took a moment to explain why he turned down an offer by Sylvester Stallone to appear in THE EXPENDABLES. By Van Damme’s account it apparently came down to Sly not offering him a substantial enough part.

Van Damme wasn’t the only action star to turn down a role in THE EXPENDABLES. Wesley Snipes, Jackie Chan, 50 Cent, Kurt Russell, Forest Whitaker, Steven Seagal, and Scott Adkins were all offered or rumored to have been offered but declined roles in the all-star actioner.

THE EXPENDABLES is currently in post production and is set for release on August 13.

Jean-Claude Van Damme will next be appearing in UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: REGENERATION which premieres on home video February 2. He’s currently working on THE EAGLE PATH, an actioner he wrote and is directing in addition to starring in.

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  • http://jcvd.freeforums.org/ Waleed

    I don't blame Van Damme for not being in the Expendables! Van Damme wants to bring us good movies with good stories, not just some typical types of films. I respect Jean-Claude Van Damme for he respects his fans.

  • Lionclaw77

    But, he apprantly doesn't repect Donnie Yen or Tony Jaa….

  • BruisedLo

    ok, don't be mad at him now for not wanting to be in the film lol.. if jackie and the other guys turned it down, i can understand why. chan is someone with full of ideas, as we all know, and if he's gonna do so little in a action film, he rather not be in it. if these other stars are busy with their movies, and sly is like offering such a small part for them… it's better to turn it down, i would. sometimes those films with a lot of movie stars fail.

    i'm still debating if it's true that Van Damme doesn't respect Yen and Jaa, but one thing i'm sure about is that he does respect Jackie, and Bruce.

  • http://twitter.com/CirenzSonG CirenzSonG

    i Say he's Wise to Wait for the Direct to DVD SequeL, heh

  • P-Gunna

    Van Damme doesn't care about his fanbase, apparently he hasn't learned anything from his failures. Sly offered him an olive branch and he acted like a smug FROG.

    I LOVE Jean Claude but he needs better management.

  • http://jcvd.freeforums.org/ Waleed

    P-Gunna, Van Damme cares for his fan base and I AM one of them. Do not talk on my behalf or on hundreds, thousands' fans behalf! We are not interested in a movie that has NO STORY. The Eagle Path is a film that I respect.

  • http://jcvd.freeforums.org/ Waleed

    Who the hell are Donnie Yen or Tony Jaa? You are talking about the dudes who hang by wires in the films and fake the audience? Man, sorry…but do not compare the Walking Legend Van Damme who changed the genre of martial arts movies with anyone except for the late Bruce Lee.

  • Alexsource

    So, Waleed, what makes you think YOU can talk on behalf of other people? I'm a van damme fan myself and while I respect his choices, I think it's a pity he rejected the part, and I'll watch the movie even when he's not on it.

  • http://jcvd.freeforums.org/ Waleed

    Alexsource, did you even read what I wrote? I said I DO NOT want anyone to talk on my behalf as I am a Van Damme fan, and I see what the REAL VAN DAMME fans say and how do they think, because many are my friends. Listen, it's not enough for you to just say “I am a fan.” while acting in a different way. Go to his profile on Facebook to see 500 comments in just 15 minutes: all positive and understanding that he is BIGGER than the Expendables or whatever… you are talking about VAN DAMME.

  • Alexsource

    Let me quote: “Do not talk on my behalf or on hundreds, thousands' fans behalf! We are not interested in a movie that has NO STORY. The Eagle Path is a film that I respect.”
    There, you said it: “WE are not interested”.
    You, perhaps, are not interested. I am. And as much as i'm interested in about anything Van Damme related. Or Tony Jaa related, for that matter, who BTW, does NOT use wires in his movies.
    I don't think i have to prove anything, If you want to limit your world to Van Damme, I guess that's your choice. I like variety. I like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Gary Daniels, Jeff Winscott… and I also like what i saw so far on The Expendables.

  • http://jcvd.freeforums.org/ Waleed

    Alexsource, again: I think you don't read! My “we” has been explained when I asked you to check Van Damme's profile on Facebook and read what his REAL FANS say and how do they think, unlike someone who says “we” and include me and others where we haven't make a statement.
    Also, do not say if my world is limited on Van Damme or not cuz you know nothing about this issue unless I say it myself. I believe it's you who is living in his limited world with the fantasy of watching the Expendables – and BTW, I will watch it too…but will be happy cuz JC is not in it cuz he has self-esteem—if you know what that is.

  • Alexsource

    Sorry man, I don't do FB, not that I don't believe you. And BTW, as far as i know, no one else here used the word “WE” in that context, but you.
    The “world is limited” bit sounded a bit harsh, but it was to prove a point: Just because I don't think like you, or the people at FB, doesn't mean I'm not a fan, or that i'm an “anti-fan”. Personally I think JCVD is beyond good and evil, and that he can practicaly do or stop soing whatever movie he wants, he earned it. Much like Jackie chan, I guess. But that doesn't mean I'll instantly like anyhting he puts out.
    If you can't understand this, and that P-Gunna was just expressing his own opinnion (even if he might not been as respecful as he could have) and not talking about any other JCVD fan opinnions, there's not much else I can do. I don't think I can explain it better than this :P

  • http://jcvd.freeforums.org/ Waleed

    Alexsource, when P-Gunna said: “Van Damme doesn't care about his fanbase…” isn't his fanbase = me and other hundreds thousands fans = we”…End of subject, I guess 'n please stop saying I said this and said that cuz I know what I said and what I didn't say. I just wanna say now, “if you don't like what Van Damme does, then you are not his fan. If you are only a fan of one, three or even ten of his movies, then name 'em and say I am a fan of 'whatever' movie.”
    I am not saying that all his films are Oscar winner, but at least let's just stop pretending that we are the expert filmmakers and give him ORDERS to do, cuz like I said before…he is VAN DAMME and I think the name is enough to tell who the Walking Legend is. Thank you 'n goodnight!

  • Alexsource

    Amazing. You still didn't understand anyhting I said O_O0. Again: P-Gunna is expressing “his” opinnion on how “JCVD” handles “his fanbase”. He said nothing about your opinion, or my opinion, or the opinion of the people at FB or anyone else in his “fanbase” but himself. Therefore, he wasn't speaking in anyones elses behalf. Can you feel insulted by his comments? By all means!
    Me? I couldn't care less. It's his opinion and I don't share it, and that's that. I guess I'm not as passioned as you. If you don't want to consider me a fan because of that, so be it. But take time to write clearer text, what you wrote was very open to intepretation and seem to have mistakes, at least to me, when compared to what P-Gunna wrote.

  • jinkazama

    Waleed and Alexsource, what are you two fairies on about, you're in a martial arts forum, not a handbag forum !

    P gunna, JCVD did say that he was fed up, especially after Derailed ( which he said was a low point ) of making shit, he took a major shift in direction and promised “to only make films which he / his family could actually watch later on in life and be proud of and had good scripts / characters “. JCVD was cracking evidence of this. Now we have Universal Soldier again and the Eagle Path to judge him after JCVD so lets see what happens however based on what he actually said a year ago his refusal for Expendables is not surprising.

    When he also said he competitively fought everyone thought he was bullshitting but his fight record surfaced later under the name Van Varenberg and you can actually see the results in Wiki. They're impressive. Very impressive. But I know what you mean, he does have an ego, and so does Seagal and they love to helm their own movies and be the star but hey, thats the way they are, the only difference being now is that JC is making a decent comeback. I would have liked to see him in it too.

  • Scott

    Tony Jaa doesn't use wires. He is amazing.

  • Art

    The best martial arts/action stars currently are Donnie Yen, Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Cyril Raffaelli, Wu Jing, Yanin “Jeeja” Vismistananda, Tak Sakaguchi and Tony Jaa.

  • Tony Webster

    Van Damme is a big monster TURD to turn down a part in the film, could have been return to the big time for him & chance of better offers. Who cares if part was big or smal , he still would have been in it. Very TURD-ITIONAl decision for Van Damme to take.

  • Jamie

    Van Damme needs a big film – THe expendables could have been a profile enhancing step so that the the ultimate van damme pick can be made: Kickboxer 2: The proper sequel – Kurt, tikki, Zen, Tong Po – All back for the rematch……..

  • http://jcvd.freeforums.org/ Waleed Al-Telbany

    The Expendables is a joke! Van Damme doesn't need it. He made Universal Soldier: Regeneration and it did great. Then, he is playing The Eagle Path, a film with a good story, not some actors meeting in a party like the Expendables.

  • mm_uk 2

    Van Damme is a big faggot, he's a failure the guy cant act and thats why no body casts him for a decent movie. He cant act and hes martial arts is crap…
    Oh and Yen and Jaa would kick the shit out of him any day. Van damme and seagal are both fags and should have a gay marrriage. If this comment bothers anyway then your a fag too because its my opionion and for you to take it personally then your retarded just like him…… peace out

  • Alain

    Ur comment look like u r gay ur self. LOL!…I agree Seagal can't act but JCVD he can act ” IN HELL” check this movie before open ur nasty mouth, if he got a good director like alot actors in Holywood no offences lol…

  • http://twitter.com/Dammage7 Waleed Al-Telbany

    To the gentlemen who used words as faggot, gay, etc… this only shows how good your mommas have raised you up in a clean environment. I feel sorry for you!
    Now, I wouldn't go into rounds about this… people as you (minority, thanks God) are people with no brain or heart. You just think you are somebody while you are nobody. Who will care for your lame comments? Van Damme is still the worldwide biggest action star to millions around the globe, while you are still in shades. Keep insulting 'n eating your hearts, jealous losers. HaHa!