Tweet

Jean-Claude Van Damme’s next movie is probably the most important one of his career. Last year’s JCVD was a surprise success for the man pretty much everyone had long ago relegated to the status of washed-up has-been. But JCVD changed that, at least temporarily. My full review is here, but if you haven’t seen it yet, do so as soon as you can. It’s alternately funny, dramatic, and heart-breaking, and it’s like nothing you would ever expect from the Belgian kickboxer. Van Damme received well-deserved praise and accolades, audiences began to look at him in a new light, and he had his first film in an American movie theater in almost a decade. So what does he do next?

He writes and directs a movie, obviously.

Van Damme directs himself in The Eagle Path as an emotionally lost Ex-GI turned taxi driver somewhere in South-East Asia. He crosses paths with a woman whose mysterious life mesmerizes him, drawing him into a world where he must protect her from an unhealthy relationship with a high class and vicious business owner, and maybe even herself. With the help of his best friend, an alcoholic, paraplegic, former Military specialist. They set out on a path together that could free them all from the self imposed prison they each find themselves in. (Thanks to Twitch for the synopsis.)

As much as I loved JCVD, and as much as I believe Van Damme deserves at least half of the press currently being shoveled into Mickey Rourke’s disfigured face… this plot outline doesn’t really sound all that different from most of his direct-to-DVD output. The film was originally called Full Love, but I’m guessing Van Damme’s people convinced him a more manly title was needed. New pics have been released from the film, including some behind the scenes photos posted on his official website. Per that site, the movie promises “beautiful scenes of actions, many twists and maybe even… a love story?”

Did you enjoy JCVD? Are you looking forward to The Eagle Path?