One of my favorite collector’s edition Blu-ray releases in recent years was the MVD Rewind Collection release of the Jean-Claude Van Damme classic Lionheart. The Lionheart release was so good and chock full of so many special features, I didn’t think it could be topped.
I am happy to report that the folks over at MVD have proved me wrong with their release of another JCVD classic, Double Impact! The MVD Rewind Collection release of Double Impact features over 20 extended and deleted scenes, promotional material from back in 1991 and a two part, behind the scenes, feature length documentary including interviews with star/screenwriter Jean-Claude Van Damme and director/screenwriter Sheldon Lettich, plus other members of the cast and crew. The documentary covers a lot of ground, including an explanation on why the much talked about sequel to the film has been so tough to get off the ground and tons of other inside tidbits, some of which I will share with you now as I present…
1.
Double Impact can be traced back to Jean-Claude Van Damme’s roots with Menahem Golan and Cannon Films. Golan, who didn’t believe Van Damme had what it took to be a star, going so far as to call him “poison”, changed his tune after the worldwide success of Bloodsport. Golan reminded Van Damme that he had signed a three picture deal with Cannon and asked that Van Damme and writer/director Sheldon Lettich come in for a meeting. It was at that meeting that Van Damme and Lettich selected a script based on the novel The Corsican Brothers by Alexandre Dumas, a story of two twins who are separated at birth.
2.
It was Jean-Claude Van Damme’s idea to change the title of the movie from The Corsican BrotherstoDouble Impact.
3.
Van Damme’s twin characters of Alex Wagner and Chad Wagner were named after some real life friends of Jean-Claude Van Damme. Alex was named after a guy Van Damme knew from Hong Kong, while Chad was named after one of Van Damme’s Hollywood friends (and an action star in his own right), Chad McQueen (Firepower).RELATED:
Jean-Claude Van Damme: 10 interesting facts about the actor
4.
Former Ms. Olympia and fitness personality, Cory Everson (who played Kara the bodyguard of bad guy Nigel Griffith) came into the movie with a great athletic background, but zero fighting skills. To prepare her for her fight scenes, Everson worked with Billy Blanks (Showdown) before the movie went into production.
5.
One of the benefits of filming the bulk of the movie in Hong Kong is the production didn’t have to worry about pesky things like filming permits. For instance, when Chad and Danielle (Alonna Shaw) are running through the streets of Hong Kong, those aren’t extras in the streets… they are actual Hong Kong citizens going about their day.
6.
One of the more memorable death scenes in Double Impact is when Bolo Yeung’s character Moon is electrocuted. Director Sheldon Lettich admitted Moon’s demise was inspired by Oddjob’s electrocution at the hands of James Bond in Goldfinger.
7.
Alonna Shaw, who played Alex’s girlfriend Danielle Wilde, was not Lettich’s first choice for the role. Lettich felt that since Alex had lived in Hong Kong his entire life, his girlfriend should be of Asian descent and he was looking to cast Tia Carrere in the role, but ultimately Lettich was outvoted and Shaw got the part.
8.
Another Van Damme idea was for Peter Malota’s character to wear spurs, which made him one of the more memorable bad guys in the movie and has earned him the nickname of “Spurs” from fans of the film. Malota also served as the fight choreographer on Double Impact.
9.
The interior of Alex Wagner’s mahjong parlor was actually a set built on a soundstage in Los Angeles.