Double Impact is a 1991 American action film written and directed by Sheldon Lettich, and written, produced by and starring Jean-Claude van Damme as Chad and Alex Wagner. The film marks Van Damme’s third collaboration with director Sheldon Lettich (who wrote Bloodsport and directed Lionheart) and second collaboration with Bolo Yeung (the first being Bloodsport in 1988). Double Impact was released in the United States on August 9, 1991.
Van Damme was reportedly paid $600,000 for the movie.
Wanting to breakaway from the martial arts movie genre he had become so popularly known for, he hoped playing the dual role of Chad/Alex would change his image and help him do just that. “[Alex] is violent and [Chad] is not, so audiences [will] see the contrast in my work.” Prior to the film’s release, he had told the Los Angeles Times: “If I stay in martial arts pictures people will get tired of my films. Van Damme felt Double Impact’s love scene would appeal to a wider audience. Seeing Jeremy Irons portray a dual role in Dead Ringers allegedly influenced Van Damme’s decision.
Director Sheldon Lettich co wrote the script with Van Damme. Inspiration was taken from Alexandre Dumas’ The Corsican Brothers; an 1844 novella about twins separated at birth, who find each other in adulthood. Lettich later recalled the concept of Van Damme playing twins “was so successful that other producers wanted him to repeat it.” (Timecop, Maximum Risk, Replicant) “Even though it meant a lot more work for Jean-Claude, he enjoyed the challenge of playing two distinctly different characters, showcasing a dark and a more light-hearted side in the same movie.
Filming of the movie took place in Los Angeles, Santa Clarita (Dojo scene) and most of the scenes in Hong Kong. Most of the Hong Kong scenes were filmed at the Lippo centre (Nigel Griffith’s headquarters), Tsing Yi Container Processing Terminal (Raymond Zhang & Triad scene) and the Star Ferry port (escape scene). The hideout used by Alex & Chad was filmed at Mong Tung Wan at the Chi Ma Wan trail on Lantau Island.
