A TV series based on the “Kickboxer” film franchise is in the works with the original “The Fast and the Furious” writer and “Las Vegas” creator Gary Scott Thompson set to serve as showrunner.
The seven-film martial arts franchise originally starred Jean-Claude Van Damme as Kurt Sloane, a man who must learn the ancient kickboxing art of Muay Thai in order to avenge his brother.
Three sequels followed focusing on the character’s little brother David (Sasha Mitchell) and was followed by a more standalone fifth film, and then a sixth and seventh film that rebooted the franchise with Alan Moussi taking over the Kurt Sloane role with Van Damme returning as his trainer.
The TV series, titled “Operation: Kickboxer,” will be a martial arts-driven espionage series in which the youngest Sloane brother, Michael, is thrust into the world of international geopolitical intrigue.
In order to earn his freedom, Sloane must go undercover as an MMA contender, using his clout to gain access to targets around the world, while remaining in contention for the champion title belt.
Todd Garner (“Mortal Kombat”) and Dimitri Logothetis (“Jiu Jitsu”) will executive produce and shooting aims to begin next year.
Source: Deadline
