Belgian martial artist-turned-actorJean-Claude Van Dammehas many incredible characters under his black belt, but one of my favorites comes from a silly source:The Expendables 2. At 10 years old, Van Damme enrolled in karate school, though I highly doubt he knew the level of success the decision would garner. After earning the Mr. Belgium bodybuilding title in 1978, he moved to Hollywood to become an actor. Ultimately,Van Damme landed his big break as ninjutsu practitioner Frank Dux in the 1988 martial arts flickBloodsport— one of my favorite Van Damme cult classics.
Van Damme’s career-launching role inBloodsportmade him a hugely popular action star during the late ’80s and well into the ’90s. In my opinion, some of his biggest and best career highlights includeKickboxer(1989),Lionheart(1990),Double Impact(1991), andUniversal Soldier(1992), though flicks likeHard Target(1993),Timecop(1994), andStreet Fighter(1994) also come to mind. Eventually, Van Damme’s star began to lose its luster. After years of direct-to-video movies, Van Damme joined thecast of characters inThe Expendable 2— and I believe his villainous turn holds up.
The Expendables 2’s Jean Vilain Is One Of Van Damme’s Best (And Silliest) Characters
InThe Expendables 2, Van Damme joins Dolph Lundgren, Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, among many other iconic action heroes, in what I think is one of his best (and silliest) roles. It’s not surprising thata film franchise that aims to unite the world’s greatest action starswould call upon Jean-Claude Van Damme to join its ranks. Much like Van Damme, Stallone, who createdThe Expendablesfranchise in 2010, also hit a rough patch in the 2000s until he rebounded withRocky Balboa(2006) andRambo(2008). For me,The Expendablescemented Stallone’s return.
…Van Damme plays Jean Vilian, the leader of an opposing mercenary syndicate known as the Sangs.
What’s perhaps most interesting to me is thatJean-Claude Van Damme rejectedThe Expendablesbefore eventually agreeing to star in the 2012 sequel. InThe Expendables 2, Van Damme plays Jean Vilian, the leader of an opposing mercenary syndicate known as the Sangs. When the sinister and arrogant Vilain kills Billy the Kid (Liam Hemsworth), Barney’s (Stallone) newest recruit, the Expendables set out to exact their revenge. With an epic showdown between Van Damme and Stallone,The Expendables 2might be ridiculous, but I still thinkit delivers a lot of classic action movie fun thanks to Van Damme.
JCVD & Arnie Have Never Shared A Scene (Despite Making 3 Films Together)
Despite appearing in 3 movies together, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Arnold Schwarzenegger have never shared a scene; an upcoming film could change that.
Vilain Is The Only Antagonist To Kill A Member Of The Expendables
Four movies intoThe Expendablesfranchise, Van Damme’s villain remains the best — and most memorable. Notably,the villainous terrorist is the onlyExpendablesantagonist to (actually) kill one of the titular team’s mercenaries. WhileExpendables' James Munroe (Eric Roberts) andExpendables 4’s duo of Ocelot (Andy García) and Suarto Rahmat (Iko Uwais) had pretty generic villain motivations,Expendables 3’s Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson) at least had some history with the titular team of mercenaries. Still,The Expendables 2’s straight-forward revenge story, anchored by Van Damme’s intimidating Vilain, is not only my favorite but the most compelling franchise antagonist.
Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Ridiculous Idea For An Expendables 4 Return
Jean-Claude Van Damme played the main villain in the second movie but he has an idea for how he could return in The Expendables 4; here’s how.
How Jean Vilain Compares To Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Other Villain Roles
Van Damme Lets Loose As A Charismatic Villain, Subverting Viewers' Expectations Of The Action Hero
Even thoughThe Expendables 2isn’t one ofJean-Claude Van Damme’s best movies, Jean Vilain stands out among the antagonistic characters he’s portrayed on the big screen. What unitesall 8 villains Jean-Claude Van Damme has playedis the actor’s uncanny ability to flip his action-hero chops into something sinister. A charismatic actor,Van Damme really lets loose in villain roles likeNo Retreat, No SurrenderandBlack Eagle. Still, seeing him go fist-to-fist with other action greats makes Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Jean Vilain a top-tier turn that’s perfect forThe Expendables 2.
As of September 2024,The Expendables 2is streaming on Netflix.
The Expendables 2
The Expendables 2 reunites some of the most famous action stars in movie history in an explosive mission to stop Jean Claude Van Damme’s terrorist leader Jean Vilain. This time, Sylvester Stallone’s Barney Ross is accompanied not only by teammates such as Jason Statham’s Lee Christmas, Dolph Lundgren’s Gunner Jensen, and Terry Crews' Hale Caesar, but also by old friends like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Trench Mauser, Bruce Willis' Mr. Church, and Chuck Norris' Booker.
