Post by Claudia on Nov 12, 2017 18:10:29 GMT
www.redbull.com/us-en/theredbulletin/Jean-claude-van-damme-the-real-damme-deal
The legendary action star returns with a new secret weapon: comedy. We talk to the Muscles from Brussels about his new show on Amazon and why he's ready to crush your funny bone.
[..]
The Red Bulletin: In your new series, "Jean-Claude Van Johnson," you show off some impressive comedic chops. What was it like showing another side of your talents?
Jean-Claude Van Damme: It was freeing. I was very happy to be able to open up and do more. When I worked with directors John Woo, and especially Ringo Lam, it really did something for me in terms of acting. They made me believe I could do more. Many years ago, my father told me that one day I could be like the French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo. In his films, he could be an action guy but also funny like Robin Williams. But it’s kind of scary, too.
What's scary?
It’s scary to show this other side, because I don’t know how the audience is going to react. People know the action side of me, but will they accept me trying to be funny? Can I be a combination to them?
The response to the pilot, which is already available on Amazon, has been very positive.
Well, we have a great team with a good writer, David Callaham ["The Expendables," "Godzilla" (2014)], who by the way loves me.
How's that?
It's because his mother loved martial arts and she practiced judo. When he was growing up, she made him watch my movies. And back then, it was like a ritual. You go to the video store, you rent a VHS tape and you sit back with your mom and watch some kicking and fighting. A moment of love between mother and son. I’m part of that cult of action stars like Arnold that inspired people like David, who handed me a wonderful script.
“People know the action side of me, but will they accept me trying to be funny? Can I be a combination to them?”
The script lets you poke a little fun at yourself, which can be a healthy approach. Has your perspective changed over the years?
Yes. With age, you don’t always take as many chances. You often go in the same direction, try to always be the same thing, but I’m trying to avoid that. It’s cool to be able to try something different with this show, because then I get to be more like I am in real life. I always joke. I’m always funny. And sometimes — I’ve got my moments, I know. But I’m always like a happy guy, smiling. I’m an old-fashioned guy. But I’m — an old guy, sorry. [Laughs]
Age is relative, right?
Oof!
This is the second time you’ve playeda fictionalized version of yourself, the other being the 2008 crime drama "JCVD." Both performances are very self- aware but also very different. Which version of Jean-Claude Van Damme feels the most authentic to you?
What a good question. I think in real life, I’m very responsible in terms of the family. I want to make everyone feel comfortable. But I’m still a very big child when it comes down to dialogue with people. I like to have fun, and I’ve got that type of attitude toward life. I love to learn about everything and educate myself about different things.
“I was the guy at school who they said would never make it. Then my parents took me to a martial arts class and it transformed me.”
What have you been learning lately?
The golden ratio in mathematics and how it applies to art and nature. Mona Lisa’s face has the golden ratio, for example. It’s a perfect measurement. So I was studying that, and I was trying to divide the golden ratio by years of existence.
That’s kind of deep, Jean-Claude.
No, no, I’m not deep. Right now, I’m very concerned about the future of this planet. I’ve been traveling around the world for 30 years, and I’ve seen a lot of changes. I’ve got enough money, so I spend my time learning.
As someone who spends a lot of time in the public eye, does it still feel overwhelming or is it a piece of cake?
It’s kind of a piece of cake. You know, when people want an autograph or a picture when I’m eating, I’ll put my burger to the side and I’ll do the picture. Because without the fans, I wouldn’t be able to travel, have nice clothes and a nice house or be able to give food to my family. Because honest to god, without them, I’m nothing. I love people. And I love animals. So much.
You support a number of animal rights organizations. Why is that cause so important to you? What do you get back from it?
It doesn’t give anything back to me, except it’s all our duty to help and protect them. It’s our job to educate people about what they can do to help. I think it’s hard to stop the system of the big boys in charge, and I don’t want to be depressing in this interview. But I think we can individually make an effort, whether it’s helping animals or switching to renewable energy sources or whatever is important to you. There are more good people than bad people out there.
Let’s talk about your earlier years. When you were 20 years old, you left behind a successful gym in Belgium to come to America. Why did you take the risk to come to Hollywood?
It was not very risky. I had some money in the bank and I knew I could always come back to Belgium and open another gym. I was young, so I gave myself a couple of years to try and make it. Well, two years became almost five years, but I kept networking and asking people for their business cards and asking for meetings. And one of those people was Kirk Douglas, who invited me to his house. When I went there, he was sitting at his dining table with his wife, eating like a carrot and drinking an orange juice. He shook my hand and said, “I like what you’re doing.” And I said, “Thank you, Mr. Douglas. Thank you so much.” And then I left. Nothing came of it, but I got to shake the hand of Spartacus!
I read you used to place your headshot on the windshields of expensive cars parked in studio lots.
I did. I looked for all the Rolls or Ferraris or Porsches, because I thought they might belong to big stars or big producers. On the back of the photo I wrote something like “If you need any sort of actor who can kick, jump and has a French accent, please call me. This is my number.” And because of that, I was hired in "Predator" and also in a movie called "No Retreat, No Surrender."
So it actually worked! Where did that drive come from?
I think to prove my love to my parents. Because with love, you can do everything. When I was a kid, I was very skinny and kind of a disaster. I was the guy at school who they said would never make it — an idiot, a loser, an outcast. I escaped by reading comic books. My father used to own a newsstand, and every week there would be new books like "The Adventures of Tintin." With Tintin, I could travel the world. I could go to Russia, Africa, America with him and his dog, Snowy. They were my best friends. But then my parents took me to a martial arts class and I changed. It transformed me.
It transformed you into the Muscles from Brussels. Speaking of, what’s your workout routine like these days?
The most important thing is to stay flexible. If I make a training tape, it will be for people with injuries: back problems, knee problems, you name it. To be in great shape, you first have to learn how to maintain yourself through good posture. You have to know how to walk and bend properly before you try to lift anything. Otherwise, it’ll be “Oh! My back!”
Self-maintenance is important, both physically and mentally.
As a human being, you have the right to be both body and mind. Your physical form pays the bills, takes care of the family, the children, the friends. But with your mind, your thoughts, you can create your own story. And sometimes when you really set your mind on something, it happens. People are attracted to your good will.
"Jean-Claude Van Johnson" is available on Amazon Prime Video on Dec. 15.
The legendary action star returns with a new secret weapon: comedy. We talk to the Muscles from Brussels about his new show on Amazon and why he's ready to crush your funny bone.
[..]
The Red Bulletin: In your new series, "Jean-Claude Van Johnson," you show off some impressive comedic chops. What was it like showing another side of your talents?
Jean-Claude Van Damme: It was freeing. I was very happy to be able to open up and do more. When I worked with directors John Woo, and especially Ringo Lam, it really did something for me in terms of acting. They made me believe I could do more. Many years ago, my father told me that one day I could be like the French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo. In his films, he could be an action guy but also funny like Robin Williams. But it’s kind of scary, too.
What's scary?
It’s scary to show this other side, because I don’t know how the audience is going to react. People know the action side of me, but will they accept me trying to be funny? Can I be a combination to them?
The response to the pilot, which is already available on Amazon, has been very positive.
Well, we have a great team with a good writer, David Callaham ["The Expendables," "Godzilla" (2014)], who by the way loves me.
How's that?
It's because his mother loved martial arts and she practiced judo. When he was growing up, she made him watch my movies. And back then, it was like a ritual. You go to the video store, you rent a VHS tape and you sit back with your mom and watch some kicking and fighting. A moment of love between mother and son. I’m part of that cult of action stars like Arnold that inspired people like David, who handed me a wonderful script.
“People know the action side of me, but will they accept me trying to be funny? Can I be a combination to them?”
The script lets you poke a little fun at yourself, which can be a healthy approach. Has your perspective changed over the years?
Yes. With age, you don’t always take as many chances. You often go in the same direction, try to always be the same thing, but I’m trying to avoid that. It’s cool to be able to try something different with this show, because then I get to be more like I am in real life. I always joke. I’m always funny. And sometimes — I’ve got my moments, I know. But I’m always like a happy guy, smiling. I’m an old-fashioned guy. But I’m — an old guy, sorry. [Laughs]
Age is relative, right?
Oof!
This is the second time you’ve playeda fictionalized version of yourself, the other being the 2008 crime drama "JCVD." Both performances are very self- aware but also very different. Which version of Jean-Claude Van Damme feels the most authentic to you?
What a good question. I think in real life, I’m very responsible in terms of the family. I want to make everyone feel comfortable. But I’m still a very big child when it comes down to dialogue with people. I like to have fun, and I’ve got that type of attitude toward life. I love to learn about everything and educate myself about different things.
“I was the guy at school who they said would never make it. Then my parents took me to a martial arts class and it transformed me.”
What have you been learning lately?
The golden ratio in mathematics and how it applies to art and nature. Mona Lisa’s face has the golden ratio, for example. It’s a perfect measurement. So I was studying that, and I was trying to divide the golden ratio by years of existence.
That’s kind of deep, Jean-Claude.
No, no, I’m not deep. Right now, I’m very concerned about the future of this planet. I’ve been traveling around the world for 30 years, and I’ve seen a lot of changes. I’ve got enough money, so I spend my time learning.
As someone who spends a lot of time in the public eye, does it still feel overwhelming or is it a piece of cake?
It’s kind of a piece of cake. You know, when people want an autograph or a picture when I’m eating, I’ll put my burger to the side and I’ll do the picture. Because without the fans, I wouldn’t be able to travel, have nice clothes and a nice house or be able to give food to my family. Because honest to god, without them, I’m nothing. I love people. And I love animals. So much.
You support a number of animal rights organizations. Why is that cause so important to you? What do you get back from it?
It doesn’t give anything back to me, except it’s all our duty to help and protect them. It’s our job to educate people about what they can do to help. I think it’s hard to stop the system of the big boys in charge, and I don’t want to be depressing in this interview. But I think we can individually make an effort, whether it’s helping animals or switching to renewable energy sources or whatever is important to you. There are more good people than bad people out there.
Let’s talk about your earlier years. When you were 20 years old, you left behind a successful gym in Belgium to come to America. Why did you take the risk to come to Hollywood?
It was not very risky. I had some money in the bank and I knew I could always come back to Belgium and open another gym. I was young, so I gave myself a couple of years to try and make it. Well, two years became almost five years, but I kept networking and asking people for their business cards and asking for meetings. And one of those people was Kirk Douglas, who invited me to his house. When I went there, he was sitting at his dining table with his wife, eating like a carrot and drinking an orange juice. He shook my hand and said, “I like what you’re doing.” And I said, “Thank you, Mr. Douglas. Thank you so much.” And then I left. Nothing came of it, but I got to shake the hand of Spartacus!
I read you used to place your headshot on the windshields of expensive cars parked in studio lots.
I did. I looked for all the Rolls or Ferraris or Porsches, because I thought they might belong to big stars or big producers. On the back of the photo I wrote something like “If you need any sort of actor who can kick, jump and has a French accent, please call me. This is my number.” And because of that, I was hired in "Predator" and also in a movie called "No Retreat, No Surrender."
So it actually worked! Where did that drive come from?
I think to prove my love to my parents. Because with love, you can do everything. When I was a kid, I was very skinny and kind of a disaster. I was the guy at school who they said would never make it — an idiot, a loser, an outcast. I escaped by reading comic books. My father used to own a newsstand, and every week there would be new books like "The Adventures of Tintin." With Tintin, I could travel the world. I could go to Russia, Africa, America with him and his dog, Snowy. They were my best friends. But then my parents took me to a martial arts class and I changed. It transformed me.
It transformed you into the Muscles from Brussels. Speaking of, what’s your workout routine like these days?
The most important thing is to stay flexible. If I make a training tape, it will be for people with injuries: back problems, knee problems, you name it. To be in great shape, you first have to learn how to maintain yourself through good posture. You have to know how to walk and bend properly before you try to lift anything. Otherwise, it’ll be “Oh! My back!”
Self-maintenance is important, both physically and mentally.
As a human being, you have the right to be both body and mind. Your physical form pays the bills, takes care of the family, the children, the friends. But with your mind, your thoughts, you can create your own story. And sometimes when you really set your mind on something, it happens. People are attracted to your good will.
"Jean-Claude Van Johnson" is available on Amazon Prime Video on Dec. 15.