Former Call of Duty Devs Are Making the First Ever Official Kickboxer Video Game — but Is Jean-Claude Van Damme in It?

Former Call of Duty developers are creating the first-ever video game based on the iconic Kickboxer martial arts film franchise. Los Angeles-based Force Multiplier Studios is collaborating with Dimitri Logothetis and Rob Hickman, the filmmakers behind the recent Kickboxer trilogy reboot, to bring this project to life.

Jean-Claude Van Damme, the star of the original 1989 Kickboxer film and its subsequent reboots, is a key figure in the franchise's history. While he didn't reprise his role in Kickboxer 2, his appearances in Kickboxer: Vengeance (2016) and Kickboxer: Retaliation (2018), alongside Dave Bautista, solidified his connection to the series. A third reboot installment, Kickboxer: Armageddon, is slated for production this spring.

The Kickboxer video game, currently in early development, promises a thrilling blend of narrative and action. According to Force Multiplier Studios, it will "combine the rich narrative of Kickboxer with kinetic martial arts action to deliver an intense, high-octane brawler, and feature iconic characters and locations from the franchise originally starring martial arts icon Jean-Claude Van Damme."

While Force Multiplier Studios remained tight-lipped about Jean-Claude Van Damme's involvement, Chief Creative Officer Brent Friedman confirmed they possess licenses for numerous characters and likenesses from the Kickboxer universe. He teased further announcements later in the year.

Force Multiplier Studios, co-founded by Jeremy Breslau, Brent Friedman, and Charnjit Bansi, boasts a team with extensive experience in major game franchises such as Call of Duty, Borderlands, Halo, Tomb Raider, and Mortal Kombat.

"*Kickboxer* is more than just a film; it's a cultural phenomenon that has inspired generations of fans and martial artists alike," stated Dimitri Logothetis, writer and director of *Kickboxer: Armageddon*. "I'm thrilled to collaborate with the incredible team at Force Multiplier Studios. We're going to create a gaming experience that pays tribute to the original film while introducing exciting new gameplay elements."

Force Multiplier Studios previously released Karnivus, a combat shooter within Fortnite. However, the Kickboxer game represents a significant step up for the team. CEO Jeremy Breslau highlighted their commitment to innovation, stating, "Our passion is innovation, and just as we're innovating on Fortnite Creative with our own environmental combat shooter experience Karnivus, we can’t wait to innovate the fighting genre with a dynamic brawler that will empower players to be the best kickboxers in the world, traveling to exotic locales and introducing new environmental combat mechanics to deliver a martial arts experience like never before."

Further details, including screenshots and a trailer, are expected later this year.