Dolph Lundgren: King Of The DTV Movie Muscleheads (And Steven Seagal)?

[Y 2 Jake]

Jean Claude Vamme Damme probably has the most name value out of all of them. But what's his biggest movie? Look them up on IMDB and it's not an impressive list of films. Steven Segal has several films that were bigger than his. Under Siege is a bigger film than anything Van Damme ever did.

Dolph Lundgren is probably the least well known of the three. But he was part of one of the biggest series of movis ever and he played it's most popular and enduring villian. And his star will rize again when The Expendables makes it's way to a cinema near you in 2010.

Dolph bigger than Van Damme? Seagal? Norris?

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

Van Damme will forever reign over anything Lundgren will ever accomplish. As you said, his name value stands out. Lundgren is only known for Drago. That's about it. As far as Seagal goes, he could provide some competition against JCVD, but he'd still be treading water really.

Universal Soldier, Timecop, Street Fighter, all notoriously horrible, great action movies. I'd give most of the credit in Rocky IV to Stallone anyways. now THERE is a challenge. But whats that? You aren't convinced that he is worthy over Dolph Lundgren?

Look no further non believers:

[youtube]ZgitIMSgKT8[/youtube]

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Van Damme will forever reign over anything Lundgren will ever accomplish.

Iconic charcaters will always reign supreme.

As you said, his name value stands out.

Name value amongst actors with very little name value these days.

Lundgren is only known for Drago. That's about it.

Err hello, he was the crazy religious dude in Johnny Mnemonic.

As far as Seagal goes, he could provide some competition against JCVD, but he'd still be treading water really.

Little known fact for you here. Steve Seagal makes more from his movies now than he did in the 80's and his films sell the best out of the three mentioned in this thread.

Universal Soldier,

Which involved Dolph as the more compelling cast member.

Timecop,

Showdown in Little Tokyo.

Street Fighter,

Pfft. Van Damme looked fuck all like Guile. Dolph was the spit of Frank Castle & He-man.

I'd give most of the credit in Rocky IV to Stallone anyways. now THERE is a challenge.

Rocky was only as good as the person he was facing. It's why nobody gives a shit about Rocky 2, 5 or Balboa.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

Iconic charcaters will always reign supreme

Martial Arts experts will always reign supreme in real life. 18-1? Are you kidding me with this? Whats that? All wins by Knockout?

Name value amongst actors with very little name value these days.

Yes exactly. Jean Claude Van Damme with not much name value. Dolph Lundgren with none whatsoever.

Err hello, he was the crazy religious dude in Johnny Mnemonic.

Haven't seen it, can't comment. Although looking at his filmography, he has directed a lot of his own shitty films. I will give him props for that.

Which involved Dolph as the more compelling cast member

A matter of personal opinion. The fact of the matter is JCVD was the one selling the movie. He was king then, as he deserves so much to be now.

Pfft. Van Damme looked fuck all like Guile. Dolph was the spit of Frank Castle & He-man.

Did he need to look like Guile? No, he needed to look like JCVD, because JCVD sells. He sells like hot cakes. As for the He-Man comparision, I don't think he looked like him at all

Rocky was only as good as the person he was facing. It's why nobody gives a shit about Rocky 2, 5 or Balboa.

Doesn't he face Floyd Mayweather in Balboa?

The fact of the matter is, that Jean Claude will remain the king. How can you have a king in Dolph, where 90 percent of this forum wouldn't even know him? Then again, 90% of this forum probably wouldn't know the 1999 King of The Ring. Twas Billy Gunn.

In retaliation, I think JCVD made it onto the cover of one of the most prestigious entertainment magazines of all time. This cover has hosted many a great man, even HBK himself at one point.

Case closed.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Martial Arts experts will always reign supreme in real life. 18-1? Are you kidding me with this? Whats that? All wins by Knockout?

You say that like Dolph isn't a martial arts expert. He is and he's still doing it to this day. In between writing, producing, directing and being a model.

Yes exactly. Jean Claude Van Damme with not much name value. Dolph Lundgren with none whatsoever.

Hate to bring up Ivan Drago again, but it's roles that most actors are remembered for. Nobody is going to remember Gibson Rickenbacker in years to come.

Haven't seen it, can't comment. Although looking at his filmography, he has directed a lot of his own shitty films. I will give him props for that.

Van Damme would too if he could reach the camera. But with him being bipolar he'd probably make some very incoherent action melodramas.

A matter of personal opinion. The fact of the matter is JCVD was the one selling the movie. He was king then, as he deserves so much to be now.

King? Please, he was riding the Dolph/Rocky popularity wave.

Did he need to look like Guile?

Yes. Raul Julia looked like Bison. Wes Studi looked like Sagat. And Kylie looked like Cammy. And unlike Van Damme, at least she attempted an accent.

No, he needed to look like JCVD, because JCVD sells. He sells like hot cakes.

That film was a flop. Let's see who has the next hit. Will it be Dolph with The Expendables or Van Damme with Karate? Or will it be both with the next installement in the Universal Soldier saga?

As for the He-Man comparision, I don't think he looked like him at all

He has the muscles in all the right places.

Doesn't he face Floyd Mayweather in Balboa?

No, somebody called Anthony Taverner, or something.

The fact of the matter is, that Jean Claude will remain the king. How can you have a king in Dolph, where 90 percent of this forum wouldn't even know him?

Half of this forum don't know who Charles Chaplin is, so I wouldn't use them as a way to gauge popularity and longevity.

Then again, 90% of this forum probably wouldn't know the 1993 King of The Ring.

Dolph wasn't eligible, it's the only reason Bret won it.

In retaliation, I think JCVD made it onto the cover of one of the most prestigious entertainment magazines of all time. This cover has hosted many a great man, even HBK himself at one point.

Case closed.

He's aged terribly. His forehead is delevopling a horn because he's been kicked in the head so many times. Dolph is still modeling.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

You say that like Dolph isn't a martial arts expert. He is and he's still doing it to this day. In between writing, producing, directing and being a model.

yet he is still "That Russian guy from Rocky". It doesn't matter how many jobs he juggles, the king of action movies he will never be, until he truly steps up his game.

Hate to bring up Ivan Drago again, but it's roles that most actors are remembered for. Nobody is going to remember Gibson Rickenbacker in years to come.

Just like no one will remember Chris Kenner.

Van Damme would too if he could reach the camera. But with him being bipolar he'd probably make some very incoherent action melodramas

JCVD doesn't need to get behind the camera though. He expresses his shoddy acting skills simply by looking at the camera.

King? Please, he was riding the Dolph/Rocky popularity wave.

Wave? Hardly, a small ripple in the ocean of excitement over Bloodsport and Cyborg.

Yes. Raul Julia looked like Bison. Wes Studi looked like Sagat. And Kylie looked like Cammy. And unlike Van Damme, at least she attempted an accent.

Thats why people remember JCVD and not Raul Julia or Wes Studi. Everyone remembers JCVD for the accent, for the acting, for the fight scenes. It's why he's the king of DTV movies. you make it sound like you have to be a good actor to earn this title.

That film was a flop. Let's see who has the next hit. Will it be Dolph with The Expendables or Van Damme with Karate? Or will it be both with the next installement in the Universal Soldier saga?

My money is on Universal Soldiers: The Next Generation.

Half of this forum don't know who Charles Chaplin is, so I wouldn't use them as a way to gauge popularity and longevity.

Who? Was he the guy with the funny moustache? Wrote Mein Kampf?

Dolph wasn't eligible, it's the only reason Bret won it.

Yeah but Ziggler is perfection anyways. He'll win the next tournament, mark my words. As for Lundgren, he may be as good at karate as JCVD, but can he ballet dance? I assure you, it is the hardest artform of all.

He's aged terribly. His forehead is delevopling a horn because he's been kicked in the head so many times. Dolph is still modeling.

Modelling for what? Freakish Escorts 'R' Us? His woman is pretty bad as well.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

yet he is still "That Russian guy from Rocky". It doesn't matter how many jobs he juggles, the king of action movies he will never be, until he truly steps up his game.

He is stepping up his game. Unlike others he's aware that his star has fallen and he's branching out. Seagal turned down The Expendables because he was afraid of getting shown up by Jason Statham & Steve Austin. Dolph is man enough to know he can handle himself against those young bucks.

Just like no one will remember Chris Kenner.

Nobody needs two. He's got three iconic roles under him. When they do a big budget remake of He-Man everybody who was around for Masters Of The Univers will buy the new special edition Blue-Ray. When they try to do The Punisher again people will talk about Dolph.

What has Van Damme got in his future?

JCVD doesn't need to get behind the camera though. He expresses his shoddy acting skills simply by looking at the camera.

JCVD is a good actor, the only problem is he's from Belgium. As a European myself I can honestly say that Belgium is to France what Wales is to England. Just an extra bit that nobody cares about.

Wave? Hardly, a small ripple in the ocean of excitement over Bloodsport and Cyborg.

How many Bond films has Van Damme been in?

Bond, Rocky, He-Man. What a trilogy of huge franchises to be involved in, one after another.

Thats why people remember JCVD and not Raul Julia or Wes Studi. Everyone remembers JCVD for the accent, for the acting, for the fight scenes. It's why he's the king of DTV movies.

It's Raul Julia's film. He stole it when he had a coronary.

you make it sound like you have to be a good actor to earn this title.

You do.

My money is on Universal Soldiers: The Next Generation.

My money is on Karate being the least successful.

Who? Was he the guy with the funny moustache? Wrote Mein Kampf?

Yes, great dictator him.

As for Lundgren, he may be as good at karate as JCVD, but can he ballet dance? I assure you, it is the hardest artform of all.

He can, actually. He just doesn't like to brag about it.

Modelling for what? Freakish Escorts 'R' Us? His woman is pretty bad as well.

The 80's were hard on everybody.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

He is stepping up his game. Unlike others he's aware that his star has fallen and he's branching out. Seagal turned down The Expendables because he was afraid of getting shown up by Jason Statham & Steve Austin. Dolph is man enough to know he can handle himself against those young bucks.

But that isn't what we're discussing. We're discussing who is the DTV king of Movie Muscleheads. If we wanted wannabe directors, I'd say so. *insert witty joke involving current director*

Nobody needs two. He's got three iconic roles under him. When they do a big budget remake of He-Man everybody who was around for Masters Of The Univers will buy the new special edition Blue-Ray. When they try to do The Punisher again people will talk about Dolph.

What has Van Damme got in his future?

Here's the thing, nobody talked about Dolph's Frank Castle when that steaming pile with Kevin Nash of a remake came out. They won't be talking about He-Man either. You sure it isn't those memories fogging up your heart Jake? As far as his future, JCVD can rely on that stellar name value to book any gig he wants.

JCVD is a good actor, the only problem is he's from Belgium. As a European myself I can honestly say that Belgium is to France what Wales is to England. Just an extra bit that nobody cares about

.

I think the fact that he's from such an little insignificant country only adds to the factthat he is the best B-Movie actor ever. I mean, Lundgren is from Sweden, they have nice womenfolk there at least.

How many Bond films has Van Damme been in?

Bond, Rocky, He-Man. What a trilogy of huge franchises to be involved in, one after another.

I'm sorry, I wasn't aware He-Man was such a big deal. Havent really heard much of he-Man being a classic I'm afraid. As far as bond films go, JCVD has this much to say:

"My agent called me this morning and told me I was in the running," said Jean-Claude Van Damme during an interview at a Starbucks in East Los Angeles where he was filling out an application. "I’ve never even watched a James Bond movie, but I think I’m the person they’re searching for. I can see myself as this double zero guy.

It's not like he wasn't trying. Better than some bit part in a View to Kill. Christopher Walken owned it anyways,

He can, actually. He just doesn't like to brag about it.

No man, not even Dolph, will ever pull this off with as much poise, nor as much masculinity. DTV king or not, we ALL must recognize

The 80's were hard on everybody.

The only thing hard for Van Damme in the 80's were his abs. rock hard.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

But that isn't what we're discussing. We're discussing who is the DTV king of Movie Muscleheads. If we wanted wannabe directors, I'd say so. *insert witty joke involving current director*

I don't know what we're discussing, tbh.

Here's the thing, nobody talked about Dolph's Frank Castle when that steaming pile with Kevin Nash of a remake came out.

They fucking were man, they fucking were. You just ain't go yo ear to the ground like I have.

They won't be talking about He-Man either.

They will, they'll compare them. Ultimately Dolph's version will win because it's got Frank Langella and no Cringer.

You sure it isn't those memories fogging up your heart Jake?

It's a classic.

As far as his future, JCVD can rely on that stellar name value to book any gig he wants.

So long as the budget is under 5 million.

Dolph pays for his own films and he makes 50% profit of each one. They make money back. Van Damme is frequently bailed out by Sony.

I think the fact that he's from such an little insignificant country only adds to the factthat he is the best B-Movie actor ever. I mean, Lundgren is from Sweden, they have nice womenfolk there at least.

And flat pack furniture.

I'm sorry, I wasn't aware He-Man was such a big deal. Havent really heard much of he-Man being a classic I'm afraid.

Probably because you like your movies in a straight to video mire that they'll never get out of.

It's not like he wasn't trying. Better than some bit part in a View to Kill. Christopher Walken owned it anyways,

There's the best ''B'' movie actor of all time.

No man, not even Dolph, will ever pull this off with as much poise, nor as much masculinity. DTV king or not, we ALL must recognize

Meh, anybody can do that shit. I'm doing it right now on my coffee table.

The only thing hard for Van Damme in the 80's were his abs. rock hard.

I think coping with his depression was hard for him, getting fired from Predator for being a whiny bitch must've been hard and I bet his mum gave him a telling off when he got an erection on TV.

 

[gd]

Segal and Norris are both bigger stars than Van Damme and Dolph. Anything with Segal turns from a cheesy film into a badass cheesy film instantly. I really respect the man. And Norris, despite not being all that great, has become a pop culture legend. He even has posters and jokes dedicated to him, that's a sign he really made it.

 

[jmt225]

I am a HUGE Van Damme mark. I think he's spectacular, and I do rate him over Seagal and Norris. Seagal just plain sucks ass (sorry Jake), while Chuck Norris has only contributed to this World by giving us a really good fight scene with Bruce Lee, but that's about it.

Jean-Claude Van Damme, on the other hand, not only he did recently bless us with the absolute masterpiece that is JVCD, but he has had some other classics over the years as well in Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Cyborg, Universal Soldier, Lionheart, Hard Target, and Death Warrant. All great movies. I was raised on them.

However, if's there's one B-Rated action star who comes close, or even passing, Van Damme's body of work... it's Dolph fucking Lundgren. First and foremost, there's Rocky 4. Great movie, tremendous performance by Lundgren. One of my favorite villains of all time. But he's done some other great shit too that goes under the radar. Personally, his Punisher is my favorite out of the 3 released so far, so that's one thing. But also... films like Showdown in Little Tokyo (one of the funnest movies you could ever sit through) and the Van Damme starring Universal Soldier are both awesome as well. He has some other work I dig too, like Detention, Silent Trigger, Jill The Ripper, Men of War, and The Russian Specialist, but the four previously mentioned is what takes the cake (Rocky 4, Little Tokyo, Punisher, and Universal Soldier).

But I still can't rank him over Van Damme; it's just too fucking hard. However, it does hurt Van Damme that he was snobbish enough to turn a role down in The Expendables. Nevertheless, both are still tremendously awesome.

Oh, and for the record, while I think those two are the best, Sasha Mitchell is my personal favorite. The Kickboxer sequels, Death Before Dishonor, Gangland, Class of 1999 II, and the pro wrestling movie that blows all the others out of the fucking water, Slammed, are all blasts to sit through, and Mitchell is fantastic in all of them. I'm also quite a fan of Step by Step.

What do you think of Sasha Mitchell, Jake? You ever seen any of his work?

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Seagal just plain sucks ass (sorry Jake)

For somebody who sucks ass he's sure got a lot of brilliant actors who want to work with him. You should've seen my reaction when Isaac Hayes showed up in Kills Switch. And who is that, Imelda Staunton? What the fuck are you doing here.

Jean-Claude Van Damme, on the other hand, not only he did recently bless us with the absolute masterpiece that is JVCD,

Masterpiece might be a slight overstatement. Very good though.

but he has had some other classics over the years as well in Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Cyborg, Universal Soldier, Lionheart, Hard Target, and Death Warrant. All great movies. I was raised on them.

However, if's there's one B-Rated action star who comes close, or even passing, Van Damme's body of work... it's Dolph fucking Lundgren. First and foremost, there's Rocky 4. Great movie, tremendous performance by Lundgren. One of my favorite villains of all time. But he's done some other great shit too that goes under the radar. Personally, his Punisher is my favorite out of the 3 released so far, so that's one thing. But also... films like Showdown in Little Tokyo (one of the funnest movies you could ever sit through) and the Van Damme starring Universal Soldier are both awesome as well. He has some other work I dig too, like Detention, Silent Trigger, Jill The Ripper, Men of War, and The Russian Specialist, but the four previously mentioned is what takes the cake (Rocky 4, Little Tokyo, Punisher, and Universal Soldier).

But I still can't rank him over Van Damme; it's just too fucking hard.

Purely because of Rocky, Dolph will become more of a cultural icon.

However, it does hurt Van Damme that he was snobbish enough to turn a role down in The Expendables.

I can see why he would. He's still a success. DVDs cost more than Cinema tickets and Seagal & Van Damme movies always sell really well. Take into account that the average budget of their films is going to be under 10 million with little marketing and it's obvious that he doesn't need nor care to appear in other peoples work. Certainly not as somebody who'll be expendable in what'll only be a smallish role. Most actors would rather headline.

Oh, and for the record, while I think those two are the best, Sasha Mitchell is my personal favorite. The Kickboxer sequels, Death Before Dishonor, Gangland, Class of 1999 II, and the pro wrestling movie that blows all the others out of the fucking water, Slammed, are all blasts to sit through, and Mitchell is fantastic in all of them. I'm also quite a fan of Step by Step.

What do you think of Sasha Mitchell, Jake? You ever seen any of his work?

Maybe, not too sure. I've always been a Van Damme & Seagal fan, so I've been watching his shit for years. But it's only recently that I've been picking up 80's, Dolph & Norris stuff. I'll look him up and buy some of his stuff later.

 

[IrishCanadian25]

Lundgren waws HE-MAN dammit!

Schwarzanegger (i know it's misspelled) and Lundgren are the only guys I can think of who played as effectively as mega-heros as they did mega-villains. Lundgren was the best character in the history of the Rocky films. I have the "I Must Break You" t-shirt.

Van Damme is okay, but he reminds me too much of Rob Conway.

Segal is shit. Worst actor ever.

I loved Sasha Mitchell. Kickboxer 2-4 and Step By Step, all day, every day.

What about Charles Bronson? Is he eligible? Death Wish 3 was awesome. Dicked out of the Academy Award, IMO.