Summary
- Van Damme excelled in his villain roles, bringing complexity and charisma to characters like Stillman and Vincent Brazil.
- Films like “Swelter” and “Assassination Games” showcased Van Damme’s ability to play morally questionable, sinister characters.
- While “Enemies Closer” and “The Expendables 2” allowed Van Damme to shine as a villain, there is a desire for him to play more villainous roles.
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Action star Jean-Claude Van Damme has unusually portrayed the hero, but there have been several occasions where he showed off his villainous side. Although movies like Bloodsport and Universal Solider cast him as the lead protagonist, some of Van Damme’s best performances came when he was allowed to let loose and play a sinister baddie. Through mind-bending sci-fi films to star-studded action franchises, Van Damme has had his fair share of villainous roles in the 45 years since his acting debut.
Van Damme’s best movies have always utilized his incredible charisma and unique screen presence, and his villainous performances were no different. From his earliest roles in fighting films like No Retreat, No Surrender right up until he joined The Expendables series in the 21st century, Van Damme has consistently surprised viewers by playing against type and being a fantastic villain. As one of the greatest action movie stars of all time, the only thing wrong with Van Damme’s villainous roles was that there weren’t enough of them.
8 Swelter (2014)
Jean-Claude Van Damme as Stillman
Swelter (2014)
R
Action
Drama
Thriller
Where to Watch
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Swelter is a crime thriller directed by Keith Parmer, featuring Lennie James as a sheriff with a mysterious past. The film follows a group of former bank robbers who, after escaping from prison, seek out their hidden loot in a small desert town. Co-starring Alfred Molina and Jean-Claude Van Damme, Swelter explores themes of revenge and redemption against a rugged, unforgiving landscape.
Director Keith Parmer Release Date April 20, 2014 Studio(s) Exchange Peaks Film Capital , Grand Peaks Entertainment , Film Invaders Writers Keith Parmer Cast Jean-Claude Van Damme , Alfred Molina , Catalina Sandino Moreno , Lennie James , Brad Carter Runtime 96 Minutes Budget 8000000.0 Main Genre Action
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Jean-Claude Van Damme was the best part of Swelter, where he rose above a gangster Western-influenced action movie to deliver a subtle villainous performance. Taking place 10 years after a casino heist, four of the gang members tracked down their old partner, who, at the time, made off with the money but, due to amnesia, claimed to have no memory of what happened. Van Damme was Stillman, the crew leader, who had much more complexity than the average action-movie villain.
Overall, Swelter felt like it was trying to emulate the stylistic atmosphere of directors like Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, but it unfortunately missed the mark. With flashbacks throughout and characters’ relationships that were so complicated that they overpowered the enitre film, Swelter buckled under its own ambition. There’s the makings of a great movie here, and Van Damme helped carry things through, but it failed to reach the heights of his best work.
7 Replicant (2001)
Jean-Claude Van Damme as Edward “the Torch” Garrotte
Replicant (2001)
R
Action
Sci-Fi
Thriller
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Replicant stars Jean-Claude Van Damme in a dual role as a serial killer and the cloned replicant created to catch him. The replicant, possessing the killer’s memories and instincts, teams up with a seasoned detective to track down his other self, leading to a moral and physical battle between the two.
Director Ringo Lam Release Date September 18, 2001 Distributor(s) Artisan Entertainment , Eagle Films , Lionsgate Home Entertainment Writers Lawrence David Riggins , Les Weldon Cast Jean-Claude Van Damme , Michael Rooker , Catherine Dent , Brandon James Olson Runtime 100 Minutes Budget $17 Million
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One of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s most psychologically intriguing roles was Replicant, a thrilling sci-fi action film in which he played the serial killer Edward Garrote and a cloned version of himself. At first, this replicant of Garrote had the mind of a child, but later, things grew much more complex as he reckoned with his true nature while hunting down the real Garrote. In Replicant, Van Damme had to walk a fine line between two very different characters, which paid off well and created an interesting dynamic.
This was not the first time that Van Damme played a dual role, with other examples being Double Impact and Maximum Risk. However, the villainous nature of playing a serial killer was something entirely new for Van Damme. Replicant may be slightly more ambitious than what it managed to pull off, but it earned points for trying and was a lot of fun. It may not go down as one of Van Damme’s best movies, but Replicant proved that even as he entered his 40s, this martial artist could still deliver action-packed fun in spades.
6 Assassination Games (2011)
Jean-Claude Van Damme as Vincent Brazil
Assassination Games (2011)
R
Action
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Assassination Games is a 2011 action thriller directed by Ernie Barbarash. Jean-Claude Van Damme and Scott Adkins star as rival assassins who form an uneasy alliance to take down a common enemy. Set against a backdrop of corruption and vengeance, the film explores themes of loyalty and retribution as the two men navigate a perilous underworld.
Director Ernie Barbarash Release Date July 28, 2011 Studio(s) Mediapro Studios , Rodin Entertainment , Motion Picture Corporation of America Writers Aaron Rahsaan Thomas Cast Jean-Claude Van Damme , Scott Adkins , Ivan Kaye , Kevin Chapman , Marija Karan Runtime 101 Minutes Budget 8000000.0 Main Genre Action
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It’s hard to pinpoint exactly who the villain was in a movie about assassins and contract killers, but Jean-Claude Van Damme’s character in Assassination Games certainly had a villainous streak. Van Damme played Vincent Brazil, a ruthless killer willing to take on any job if the price was right. Tension rose, and the stakes increased as Vincent and the retired assassin Roland Flint (Scott Adkins) found themselves vying after the same score to take out the drug kingpin Polo Yakur (Ivan Kaye.)
Assassination Games was a fun action film that featured Van Damme playing against type as a more sinister, morally questionable character. With dubious ethics and a willingness to play dirty, Assassination Games provided thrills, even if the fight choreography wasn’t as excellent as can normally be expected from Van Damme. Assassination Games was an interesting addition to Van Damme’s filmography, but by no means a must-see.
5 Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)
Jean-Claude Van Damme as Jean-Clawed
Minions: The Rise of Gru
PG
Animation
Adventure
Comedy
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Minions: The Rise of Gru is the second Minions film and the fifth movie overall in the Despicable Me franchise. The Minions sequel again stars Steve Carell as an eleven-year-old Gru who wants to become a supervillain. The only problem is that there’s a new group in town called the Vicious 6 that puts a wrench in his plans.
Director Brad Ableson , Kyle Balda Release Date July 1, 2022 Studio(s) Illumination Entertainment Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Cinco Paul Cast Steve Carr , Pierre Coffin Runtime 90 Minutes Franchise(s) Despicable Me prequel(s) Despicable Me (2010) , Despicable Me 2 , Despicable Me 3 Budget $80 Million
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Minions: The Rise of Gru was the origin story of the supervillain Felonious Gru, which featured action movie stars Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren as members of the notorious supervillain team, the Vicious 6. In a highly self-aware role, Van Damme played Jean-Clawed, a French foe with a robotic claw for a right arm. This humorous appearance leaned into Van Damme’s legacy, and his character’s name was a reference that surely went over younger viewers’ heads, but it was an enjoyable Easter egg for adult action lovers watching with their kids.
An enjoyable entry into the hugely popular Despicable Me franchise, Jean-Clawed and the rest of the Vicious 6 acted as the main antagonists of Minions: The Rise of Gru and were defeated by Gru and Minions. While the Vicious 6 got slightly more ridiculous as the film progressed after they transformed into giant animals, Minions: The Rise of Gru more than delivered on its promise of family-friendly fun. Van Damme has been primarily known for his work in action movies, but this showed off his capabilities as a cartoon villain, and they were not bad at all.
4 No Retreat, No Surrender (1985)
Jean-Claude Van Damme as Ivan “the Russian” Kraschinsky
After making a name for himself in karate and kickboxing competitions, Jean-Claude Van Damme decided to utilize his real-life fighting skills on the big screen. One of Van Damme’s earliest film roles came as the villain in No Retreat, No Surrender, where he played the Soviet martial artist Ivan Kraschinsky, who was determined to take down the teenage hero Jason Stillwater (Kurt McKinney.) As a ruthless and feared fighter, Van Damme showed off his skill at playing the villain years before he became widely known as a hero.
While No Retreat, No Surrender, at times felt derivative of The Karate Kid, it delivered plenty of action-packed fun and hinted at Van Damme’s quickly soaring star potential. One fault was that Van Damme’s screen time was limited, but he was a powerful presence and a fearsome villain whenever he appeared. With great choreography that paid tribute to past Kung Fu movies, No Retreat, No Surrender was worth checking out for Van Damme alone.
3 Black Eagle (1988)
Jean-Claude Van Damme as Andrei
Black Eagle (1988)
CIA agent must outrace KGB agent in searching of super weapon lost in Mediterranean in this action movie directed by Eric Karson.
Full of double agents, twists and turns, and plenty of action-packed fun, Black Eagle was a 1988 action film where Jean-Claude Van Damme got to show off his villainous side. Released the same year as his breakout role in Bloodsport, Black Eagle cast Van Damme as the elite Russian KGB agent Andrei, who was on the search for a lost super weapon in the Mediterranean. With a cold and calculated presence, roles like this made audiences wish he played the villain more often.
Black Eagle was like a cross between James Bond and Kung Fu as Ken Tani (Shō Kosugi) sought to outwit Andrei and come out on top. The two showdowns between Kosugi and Van Damme were the movie’s highlights, as the excellent fight sequences kicked the tension into high gear. While Black Eagle doesn’t live up to the legacy of Bloodsport from the same era, it’s still an insanely enjoyable early role that showed off a different side to the Belgian fighter.
2 Enemies Closer (2013)
Jean-Claude Van Damme as Xander
Enemies Closer (2013)
R
Thriller
Action
Enemies Closer is an action thriller directed by Peter Hyams, featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Tom Everett Scott, and Orlando Jones. The film focuses on a former Navy SEAL turned forest ranger who finds himself in a deadly confrontation with a drug cartel searching for a missing shipment. As he battles the cartel, he must also contend with a sworn enemy who seeks vengeance, all within the confines of a remote wilderness.
Director Peter Hyams Release Date December 4, 2013 Studio(s) After Dark Films , Bomar OOD , Payton Productions , Boulston Productions Limited , Signature Entertainment Writers James Bromberg , Eric Bromberg Cast Jean-Claude Van Damme , Tom Everett Scott , Orlando Jones , Linzey Cocker , Kris Van Damme Runtime 85 Minutes Budget 5000000.0 Main Genre Thriller
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It was a treat to watch Jean-Claude Van Damme have a fantastic time playing the villain Xander in Enemies Closer. In an intense action thriller involving a Navy SEAL forced to team up with the man sent to kill him, Van Damme played the deranged crime lord, who was so sinister that both men were forced to put their differences aside. With an interesting premise, Van Damme made the most of this role as he barked orders at his henchmen and taunted everyone who stood in his way.
Enemies Closer was at its best when Van Damme was on-screen, and disappointingly, the parts without him lacked the bite and urgency that made his parts of the film so great. This was Van Damme’s third collaboration with director Peter Hyams following Timecop and Sudden Death, and it’s clear the filmmaker had learned how to get the best out of the martial arts star. For Van Damme lovers, Enemies Closer was an essential viewing experience and one of his best villainous roles.
1 The Expendables 2 (2012)
Jean-Claude Van Damme as Vilain
The Expendables 2
r
Action
Adventure
Thriller
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The Expendables 2 reunites some of the most famous action stars in movie history in an explosive mission to stop Jean Claude Van Damme’s terrorist leader Jean Vilain. This time, Sylvester Stallone’s Barney Ross is accompanied not only by teammates such as Jason Statham’s Lee Christmas, Dolph Lundgren’s Gunner Jensen, and Terry Crews’ Hale Caesar, but also by old friends like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Trench Mauser, Bruce Willis’ Mr. Church, and Chuck Norris’ Booker.
Director Simon West Release Date August 12, 2012 Studio(s) Lionsgate Distributor(s) Lionsgate Writers Sylvester Stallone , Richard Wenk Cast Sylvester Stallone , Jason Statham , Dolph Lundgren , Jean-Claude Van Damme , Bruce Willis , Jet Li Runtime 1h 43m Franchise(s) The Expendables Sequel(s) The Expendables 3 , Expend4bles prequel(s) The Expendables Budget 100 million
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After witnessing action stars Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, and Dolph Lundgren come together in The Expendables, it felt appropriate that Jean-Claude Van Damme be cast in the sequel, The Expendables 2. Van Damme played Jean Vilain, the martial artist mercenary and terrorist leader who sought to bring the world to its knees with five tons of weapons-grade plutonium. This role was a lot of fun and helped solidify The Expendables as one of the most enjoyable modern action franchises.
Interestingly, Stallone offered Van Dammed a role in the first Expendables, but he rejected it and, only following the original’s incredible success, decided to join the franchise. One of Vilain’s best scenes came in his final hand-to-hand showdown against Barney Ross, which led to his death. This was a powerful moment, but it sadly meant that Jean-Claude Van Damme only ever appeared in one Expendables film. As a franchise full of the greatest action movie stars of all time, it was only appropriate that Van Damme appeared.