Jean-Claude Van Damme is coming to television…as himself?!
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Van Damme is set to play a fictionalized version of himself in Jean-Claude Van Johnson, a new action-comedy that is set up at Amazon Studios. Like Van Damme, Van Johnson is a famous actor and a martial arts expert. But Van Johnson also doubles as a black ops “private contractor.”
Jean-Claude Van Johnson was written and conceived by Dave Callaham, the creator of The Expendables film franchise. Ridley Scott will executive produce the series through his Scott Free Television banner alongside Callaham and David Zucker.
Within the world of the show, Van Johnson will star in a Huckleberry Finn action film before he is dragged back into the world of international espionage. The report also hints at the show’s female lead, an operative named Vanessa, who was the love of Van Johnson’s life that got away.
Related: Watch Jean-Claude Van Damme on “IT’S…TIME!”
Van Damme is primarily known as a movie star, including roles in Bloodsport, Kickboxer (both the original, and the upcoming remake), Universal Soldier, Hard Target, Street Fighter, Timecop, Sudden Death, and The Expendables 2. Jean-Claude Van Johnson will be Van Damme’s first starring role on television.
Jean-Claude Van Johnson is expected to begin filming its pilot episode in May. Because Amazon Studios has not publicly confirmed the project as of press time, it’s currently unclear if Jean-Claude Van Johnson has been ordered straight-to-series or if only a pilot episode has been commissioned.
Are you excited to see Van Damme playing himself in an action-comedy? Let us know in the comment section below!
