A ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper Comic Book is on The Way

‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper is back… in comic book form!

The legend of ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper looks set to live on thanks to a brand-new comic book starring the wrestler and action movie legend.

It’s been three long years since the world lost the WWE icon, best known to movie fans for his inspired turn as John Nada in the John Carpenter classic They Live. (UAMC Bonus: read about the real life version Nada’s sunglasses from They Live here!)

Remembering the Great Roddy Piper

Piper, who was born Roderick George Toombs, was just 61 when he passed away, but his legend has lived on thanks to a string of cult movies, TV show appearances, and an enduring legacy as one of the greatest grapplers that ever lived.

In fact, the spirit of Roddy Piper appears alive and well thanks to plans currently being floated by Mess Bucket Comics for a series of tomes featuring the muscle-bound hero.

Rowdy Roddy Piper: The Kilted Avenger!

‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper: The Kilted Avenger! is a new comic book from writer and wrestling fan Dominic Riggio along with illustrator Eric Hodson and the perfect tribute to the larger-than-life legend.

The official synopsis reads:

The greatest wrestler of all time, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, is back with a fun story where he fights to save the world from the tyranny of Ruth S. Heel. Roddy is a talk show host by day and vigilante by night that will stop at nothing to bring his brand of justice.”

Several fellow wrestlers have already endorsed the project, with the likes of Buff Bagwell, Simon Gotch, Victoria, Teddy Long, Lanny “The Genius” Poffo, The Blue Meanie and Colt Cabana all lending their support.

Crucially, the project also comes with the approval of Kitty Toombs, Rowdy’s wife, who also appears in the comic.

UAMC Supports Roddy

But if ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper: The Kilted Avenger! is going to become a reality it will need even more support, which is why the creators have set up an IndieGoGo fund to get fans involved.

Those donating to the cause can look forward to exclusive copies of the comic along with specially-designed t-shirts.

With a tentative release date set for some time early in 2020, anyone wanting to lend their support should head over to the IndieGoGo page here.


What are your thoughts on Roddy Piper returning in comic book form? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page!

Jean-Claude Van Damme’s ‘The Bouncer’ Handed Release Date

‘The Bouncer’ aka ‘Lukas’ is Heading to Theaters!

Jean-Claude Van Damme’s dark new thriller The Bouncer aka Lukas has been given a release date after production company Blue Fox acquired the rights to the film. The Bouncer sees the Muscles from Brussels play Lukas, a down-on-his-luck nightclub doorman juggling a physically demanding job with life as a single father.

Read more about how The Bouncer is a “must see” according to early reviews from critics here!

Van Damme is The Bouncer

When a violent altercation lands him in jail, Lukas has little choice but to work for the police or face losing custody of his daughter.

Tasked with infiltrating a Flemish gang, what follows is a dark descent into the murky world of organized crime, with Van Damme dishing out plenty of ass-kickings along the way.

French/English Action Noir

Directed by Julien Leclercq, the film had its North American premiere at Fantastic Fest, where it was widely praised as a return to form for the Belgian.

Arguably his most arthouse effort since the excellent JCVD, The Bouncer is a noir French/English language thriller based on a screenplay by Jérémie Guez.

Sveva Alviti, Sami Bouajila, Sam Louwyck, Kaaris, Kevin Janssens, and Alice Verset round out the film’s continental cast.

Van Damme Back in Action

Jean-Claude Van Damme proves he is still one of the greatest action stars in our lifetime while truly showcasing his talent as a great dramatic actor,” Blue Fox said in a statement [via ScreenDaily].

Julien Leclercq made a fantastic film, telling a powerful story with nuanced performances, gritty cinematography, realistic car chases, and top-notch fight choreography that is already impressing critics and audiences around the world.

Blue Fox has set a release date of January 11th, 2019 for The Bouncer.


Are you excited to check out Van Damme in The Bouncer? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page!

Sylvester Stallone’s Villain Finally Revealed for Rambo 5: Last Blood (2019)

Sergio Peris-Mencheta Joins Rambo 5: Last Blood as Stallone’s Bad Guy.

The Ultimate Action Movie Club has been closely monitoring the development of Sylvester Stallone’s Rambo 5: Last Blood. You can read up on Stallone’s workout regime, his new Rambo “cowboy” look, and even peek inside his Rambo man cave here. Now UAMC can confirm that John Rambo will be going up against the might of the Mexican cartel in Rambo 5 and Sergio Peris-Mencheta, the actor who has been cast as Rambo’s central villain.

Rambo 5: Last Blood: Everything About Stallone’s Final Rambo Performance

Sergio Peris-Mencheta as Hugo Martinez

According to Deadline, Peris-Mencheta will play Hugo Martinez, the leader of the cartel and Rambo’s main foe in what is likely to be Stallone’s final outing as the character.

This time around Rambo will be teaming up with journalist Carmen Delgado, who comes to him, desperate for help, after her younger half-sister winds up being kidnapped.

Actress Paz Vega will be taking on the role of Carmen, who somehow convinces Rambo to come out of his self-imposed ranch-based retirement and taken on the cartel responsible.

An Ultimate Nemesis

Best known for his work on the hit FX series Snowfall and the recent film Life Itself, Peris-Mencheta is some 29 years Stallone’s junior.

A former rugby player back in his native Spain, it’s clear that Peris-Mencheta has the necessary physicality for the role, while his previous roles have been mostly villainous ones. (But will he live up to the legacy of ultimate action movie villains of the past?)

He’s had ample opportunity to learn from one of the best too, having previously appeared alongside Joe Pesci in the largely-overlooked 2010 film Love Ranch.

Rambo’s Sparring Partner

Peris-Mencheta plays a heavyweight boxer in the film which sees him go up against Pesci’s corrupt brothel owner in a film that was roundly lambasted by the critics despite an impressive cast that also includes Helen Mirren and Bryan Cranston.

He’ll be hoping for better reviews with Rambo V: Last Blood, which will hit theaters in the Fall of 2019.


What are your thoughts about Rambo’s new bad guy? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page!

John Carpenter Slams Dwayne Johnson’s Big Trouble In Little China Sequel Plans

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Does Not Get John Carpenter’s Blessing for Big Trouble in Little China Remake.

John Carpenter has hit out at Dwayne Johnson’s plans for a Big Trouble In Little China follow-up fronted by WWE icon The Rock. The filmmaker hit out at the project during a round table discussion with CinemaBlend, set up to promote the latest Halloween film.

For those interested, here’s everything UAMC currently knows about this Big Trouble in LIttle China remake.

The Return of Jack Burton

Asked about the film, which is rumoured to be a sequel rather than a remake let rip: “They want a movie with Dwayne Johnson. That’s what they want. So they just picked that title. They don’t give a shit about me and my movie. That movie wasn’t a success.

Carpenter’s original version of Big Trouble in Little China starred Kurt Russell and Kim Cattrall and was released back in 1986. A box office bomb upon release, the film has garnered a cult following in the years since and enjoyed a second-life when released on VHS.

The Rock is in Big Trouble

The film remains something of a sore point for Carpenter though, who was left disillusioned with Hollywood after the studio behind the project dropped support for the film and struggled to effectively market the sci-fi martial arts adventure comedy.

The experience [of Big Trouble] was the reason I stopped making movies for the Hollywood studios. I won’t work for them again,” Carpenter told Starlog [via ComixAsylum].

I think Big Trouble is a wonderful film, and I’m very proud of it. But the reception it received, and the reasons for that reception, were too much for me to deal with. I’m too old for that sort of bullshit.

John Carpenter’s Ultimate Action Legacy

Returning to the realm of independent cinema, Carpenter went on to deliver one of his most inspired films to date, the 1988 sci-fi action epic They Live starring ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piperwhich you can read more about here!

Big Trouble in Little China may not have got the recognition it deserved on initial release, but it certainly helped cement Carpenter’s status as one of the best directors of the 1980s and paved the way for one of the standout action movies of the decade.


What are your thoughts about Dwayne Johnson’s reboot to Big Trouble in Little China? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page!

UAMC Discussion: Is ‘Twister’ (1996) an Ultimate Action Movie?

Or is it just Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt chasing tornadoes?

This is a discussion for you: the Ultimate Action Movie Club to answer. Should Twister (1996), starring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton, be considered an action movie? This is an important discussion because at this point in the Ultimate Action Movie Club’s existence, we need to set some broad precedents for which all potential action movies should be treated.

A Disaster Adventure Film

According to both Wikipedia and IMDB, Twister is merely a disaster and an adventure film. However, both those labels frequently cross with action. Speed or even Die Hard come to mind for disaster films. I mean, a terrorist attack is certainly a disaster. While adventures like Indiana Jones or Chuck Norris in Firewalker should easily fit the bill. However, Twister seems to sidewind its own labels.

Where is the Action?

In many ways, this “is ____ an action movie?” discussion should really be answered by one question: where is the action? In Twister’s case, the action is pretty much just centered around the titular twisters, and then the bum rushing car chases to catch up with them. There’s some gentle fisticuffs between the Bill and Dr. Jonas Miller, but the majority of the “action” is from natural elements.

Conflict, Nicknames and One-Liners

However, while the action may be limited in the traditional fight scenes and shootouts, there are some ultimate action movie elements to consider. First, the conflict is pretty great. Bill and Jo’s ragtag team of meteorologists (featuring a wise-cracking Philip Seymour Hoffman – RIP) pits well against the slime-ball nightcrawler Dr. Jonas Miller corporate sellouts who aren’t even in it for the science!

There’s also the great character nicknames. First and foremost, Bill Paxton’s character is Bill “THE EXTREME” Harding. Do you think anyone else besides Arnold or Van Damme could pull off being “THE EXTREME”? And Paxton doesn’t even rip his shirt off. Not even once! Doesn’t need to.

Finally, Twister does have plenty of excellent one-liners. I wouldn’t go as far as to call any of them “ultimate” one-liners. Paxton never stares down a twister and mutters about how he’s “getting storming mad” or anything cool like that. But it does have “we got cows.”

Twister: An Ultimate Action Movie

In conclusion, you may be able to argue that Twister is an action movie on some technical grounds of the genre. It has action elements, it has excitement, it has heroes and villains. However, to make it an ultimate action movie it would need some major thematic adjustments, which I present below.

First, for Helen Hunt to really get revenge for the death of her father, DOROTHY is not some device used to monitor tornado scientific elements, but a bomb device used to eradicate tornadoes from the American Midwest. Their ragtag crew is put together by others hurt by tornadoes in the past and they’re all out for calculated revenge.

Bill Paxton would be less of a normcore dad, and more of a hard-drinking cowboy who truly embodies the moniker of THE EXTREME. I’m picturing shirtlessly sauntering towards an oncoming twister and hurling a whiskey bottle at it and firing a bazooka because its winds put out his cigarette.

And for the climax, Helen and Bill can still reconnect – all ultimate action movies need an ultimate love story! – but they do so by kicking Jonas (who is handcuffed to the DOROTHY device) off the back of their pickup truck as they speed away from the near-nuclear level explosion which ends tornadoes once and for all.


Do you consider Twister an “ultimate” action movie? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page!

JCVD News: A Universal Soldier Remake is on The Way

Van Damme and Lundgren’s 1992 classic Universal Soldier is Getting a Remake.

Universal Soldier, the action movie cult classic that pitted Jean-Claude Van Damme against Dolph Lundgren, is getting a remake.

Richard Wenk, best known for penning the script to the Denzel Washington revenge thriller The Equalizer, revealed to Discussing Film he is working on a new version of the film.

The Original Universal Soldier

First released back in 1992, the film saw Van Damme and Lundgren play two deceased Vietnam vets resurrected as part of a top-secret government program set up to create a new breed of super soldier.

However, it’s not long before both men begin to experience flashbacks from their old lives and the fatal rivalry that existed between them.

Directed by Roland Emmerich, Universal Soldier was a modest hit when released back in 1992, spawning three official sequels and two unofficial ones.

The New Universal Soldier

20 years on, Wenk is looking to breathe new life into the franchise with a film he insists isn’t a remake even though it basically is.

I will say that I’m just finishing up a re-imagining – let’s be clear about this it’s not a remake and it is not a redo – but it is a re-imagining of a movie called Universal Soldier,” he said.

Very much like The Equalizer, it’s the title that inspired me and not the movies…I’m just about to finish [the script] and turn it in this week.

Other Universal Soldiers

Despite the release of two direct-to-TV follow-ups involving none of the original cast and crew, Van Damme did eventually reprise his role as Luc Deveraux (which is one of UAMC’s most ultimate action hero names!) in the 1999 sequel Universal Soldier: The Return, which was a critical and commercial flop.

More recently both the Muscles from Brussels and Lundgren returned to the franchise for 2009’s Universal Soldier: Regeneration and 2012’s Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning. (The duo also joined up for Black Water (2018), which you can read about here!)

There’s no word yet on whether Lundgren or Van Damme will be involved in any future installment though it looks unlikely at this stage.


What are your thoughts on a Universal Soldier remake? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page!

A Chuck Norris Lookalike is Running for Political Office in Poland

Chuck Norris is a Man of Many Talents.

Actor, writer, martial arts master and occasional Texas Ranger, the one thing missing off Chuck Norris’ CV to date is a move into the murky world of politics. But that could be about to change. Well, kind of.

Meet Marcin Olpiński. He’s currently standing in the local government elections over in Poland. Olpiński is no ordinary candidate though – he’s the “Polish Chuck Norris”.

The Polish Chuck Norris

Vying for a place on the council for Otwock County near the capital of Warsaw, Olpińsk is already something of a local celebrity given his striking resemblance to Norris.

It goes beyond simply looking the part though – he also lives the full Chuck Norris lifestyle.

I train Boot Camp, CrossFit, martial arts, I run in marathons, I practice at the gym, etc. I have perfectly controlled the famous ’roundhouse kick,‘” Olpińsk told Fakt.

The Polish Chuck Online

Olpiński even has his own website, where he brags about a vast collection of photos alongside some of the most famous names in business, sports and politics. Or their lookalikes, at least.

He also owns a proper Chevrolet pick-up truck. Whether that will be enough to see him win election is unclear.

Olpiński does not mention much in the way of policies though we’d hope they would be given the thumbs up by Norris. In any case, Otwock County residents will vote on their next council representative on October 21st.

He’s Got Our UAMC Vote

That gives the Polish Chuck Norris 11 days to campaign from the comfort of that pick-up and unleash a few roundhouse kicks on any rival candidates. In any case, he certainly gets the Ultimate Action Movie Club’s vote.

For more info on this unusual lookalike, head over to the Polish Chuck Norrisofficial website.


Does this Polish Chuck Norris have your vote, or is he an imposter? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page!

Anna Nicole Smith’s ‘Skyscraper’ (1996) vs The Rock’s ‘Skyscraper’ (2018)

Skyscraper vs. Skyscraper in the ultimate Skyscraper Showdown!

1996 saw the release of Skyscraper, a movie about a hero with a humongous chest who must battle terrorists in a high rise building. 22 years later, we have Skyscraper, a movie about a hero with a humongous chest who must battle terrorists in a high rise building. And the funny thing is, the 2018 Skyscraper is not a remake.

But, they are both rip-offs of the 1988 action classic Die Hard, although Skyscraper (2018) goes the extra mile and adds a dash of 1974’s The Towering Inferno into the mix. So see? It’s totally different. Not the same at all. The 1996 Skyscraper stars Anna Nicole Smith. Yes, you read that correctly.

Someone made a Die Hard rip-off and cast Anna Nicole Smith as the hero. Ha. You know, while we’re at it, let’s cast Pamela Anderson as discount Dutch in a Predator rip-off. Or Jenny McCarthy and Traci Bingham as discount Riggs and Murtaugh in a Lethal Weapon rip-off. Because why the hell not?

And Skyscraper (2018) stars the samoan superman himself, Dwayne Johnson in his 117th movie in 3 years. Does that guy ever sleep? Anyways, let’s stack these 2 up against each other and see who turns up the winner…

Heroes: Anna Nicole Smith vs. The Rock

Skyscraper (2018)

Will Sawyer (Dwayne Johnson), a former FBI agent who loses his leg in a rescue mission gone wrong. 10 years later, now a security consultant.

Skyscraper (1996)

Carrie Wink (Anna Nicole Smith), a helicopter pilot who really wants a baby.

This is such a non-discussion that it doesn’t even seem fair. How do you compare an uber charismatic actor like Johnson to the block of wood that was Smith (RIP). I hate to rag on someone who is no longer with us, but I gotta call it spade of spade here. She was a god-awful actress. In fact, this may be her worst performance ever. And that’s saying a lot. Although, in her defense, she probably shouldn’t have been anywhere near a camera. I would ask why would they even hire her, instead of someone more capable like Cynthia Rothrock, but… we all know exactly why Smith was hired.

Johnson on the other hand is perfectly fine in his role. Charming as ever, but nothing spectacular about his performance. But compared to Smith, he looks like Denzel Washington. Also, Will is so much better developed as a character. A man who feels inadequate because of his life changing injury learns that he is still the man he used to be, and nothing will ever change that. Carrie on the other hand? She really wants a baby. And that’s all to her.

Winner: Skyscraper (2018)

Villains: Kores Botha vs. Fairfax

Skyscraper (2018)

Kores Botha (Roland Møller), a Scandinavian international terrorist with ties to many major crime syndicates.

Skyscraper (1996)

Fairfax (Charles M. Huber), a ruthless South African criminal mastermind prone to quoting Shakespeare.

Let’s be real, Botha is as generic and bland a villain as they come. No personality. Just a evil for evil’s sake. And yet, he’s 1000× a better villain than Fairfax. Fairfax’s endless quoting of Shakespeare grows so tiresome after the first couple of times he does it, he is positively unbearable by the climax. And the performance from Huber is just abysmal. Botha may be bland as a character, but at least Møller gives him an intimidating presence.

Winner: Skyscraper (2018)

Significant Others: Sarah Sawyer vs. Gordon Wink

Skyscraper (2018)

Sarah Sawyer (Neve Campbell), Will’s wife, the mother of his 2 children, and the doctor who saved his life. Also a military medic who did 2 tours in Afghanistan.

Skyscraper (1996)

Gordon Wink (Richard Steinmentz), Carrie’s husband and an LAPD detective.

Same as Johnson vs Smith. Character is better developed and has the much better actor portraying them. Although, to be honest, I’m probably a little bias being that Sarah is played by Campbell. She’s Sydney Prescott for christ’s sake. How can you vote against her? Also, she’s much more badass. Gordon spends a lot of time running and hiding from the bad guys, while Sarah probably kicks more ass than her husband does.

Winner: Skyscraper (2018)

Story/Plot: 1996 vs. 2018

Skyscraper (2018)

Botha and his band of terrorists take over, and set fire to, The Pearl, the high tech building in Hong Kong where the movie takes place, in order to collect a memory drive that contains information on all of his and his bosses criminal activities. Will, who was tasked with surveying the security constructs of the building, becomes an unwitting pawn. And with his wife and 2 kids trapped inside, he will do whatever it takes to save them.

Skyscraper (1996)

Fairfax and his band of terrorists take over the Zitex building, a Skyscraper in downtown Los Angeles where the movie takes place, in order to gain control of four interlocking devices that will give him ultimate power (or something like that). When Carrie, the helicopter pilot who unwittingly transports them there, gains possession of the last device, it becomes a life or death struggle between her and the terrorists.

Both plots are convoluted as all hell, but at least Skyscraper ’18 tries to make it somewhat compelling, even if they don’t fully succeed. Skyscraper ’96 could care less about their own plot, like the majority of PM Entertainment’s movies. The plot is merely an excuse to get us from action scene to action scene.

Winner: Skyscraper (2018)

The Ultimate Action Showdown!

Skyscraper (2018)

Although Skyscraper ’96 is more of a pure action movie than Skyscraper ’18, which is more concerned with jumping and falling than shooting and fighting, Skyscraper ’18 is still the better one of the two. Although there is a fun set piece very early on in an alleyway, Skyscraper ’96 for the most part lacks any real ingenuity in its action sequences, going for a run and gun style of action in which both good and bad guys let off seemingly hundreds of shots at each other from guns with bottomless clips and yet manage to hit nothing at all. I guess everybody went to the Stormtrooper school of marksmanship. The explosions are great, though.

Skyscraper (1996)

Skyscraper ’18 on the other hand seems to be more interested in The Towering Inferno side of things than Die Hard. While the film does have its dust ups, they’re relatively minor in comparison to the disaster movie style action contained within the proceedings. Truth be told, there’s only one sequence (fight scene between Johnson and Pablo Schreiber) that I can really call a through and through action set piece.

This movie finds its solace in hanging, running, jumping and falling. And to its credit, it manages to induce a nice level of tension. I found a lot of its suspense sequences gripping.

Kudos to director Rawson Thurber for being able to find some semblance of tension in the oft-used and timeworn action sub genre known as the “Die Hard in/on a _____” genre. Too bad the same can’t be said for Skyscraper ’96.

Winner: Skyscraper (2018)

Well, ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. Winner on all counts: Skyscraper (2018). On its own, a very decent, enjoyable dumb summer action flick. But standing next to Skyscraper (1996), it’s a damn game changer.


What’s your vote for most ultimate Skyscraper – The Rock’s or Anna Nicole Smith’s? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page!

Sylvester Stallone Gives Fans a Glimpse Inside Rambo’s Man Cave

Peek Inside Sylvester Stallone’s Rambo 5 Man Cave!

Sylvester Stallone is already ramping things up ahead of the release of Rambo 5 after posting an image of John Rambo in his very own ‘man cave’.

The term ‘man cave’ usually refers to a room or space set aside by a young male for things like darts, a pool table or maybe a pinball machine if you are feeling flush.

Sports are often watched in ‘man caves’ alongside big bowls of nachos and copious bottles of beer. It’s a little different for Rambo though.

Rambo 5: Last Blood: Everything About Stallone’s Final Rambo Performance

The Rambo Cave

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Rambo’s man cave…@rambomovie #rambo5

A post shared by Sly Stallone (@officialslystallone) on

Rambo’s ‘man cave’ boasts a variety of firearms including an assault rifle and the character’s iconic rifle. There are a few old photos from his days in the military and a giant knife.

It’s not exactly warm or welcoming and Rambo probably doesn’t host soirees there for friends. Mainly because most of his friends have been killed over the course of four blood-soaked movies. In any case, the image is just another teaser from the set of Rambo 5: Last Blood.

Rambo vs. Mexico

Stallone is busy filming the fifth and most likely final instalment of the action franchise, which will see Rambo going up against a Mexican cartel.

It’s shaping up to be a very different kind of Rambo movie, with the character going full cowboy in a series of images posted to Instagram by Sly. (Read more about Cowboy Rambo here!)

From the looks of things Rambo has left behind the warzones of Burma for a quiet life in the wild west, working as a ranch hand. Something is evidently going to stir him out of retirement and judging by the array of weapons he has available to him it’s going to be bloody mayhem when he does.

Paz Vega Joins Cast

The new image comes after The Hollywood Reporter revealed actress Paz Vega had joined the cast. She will play Carmen Delgado, a journalist who teams up with Rambo to take on the cartels after her younger half-sister is kidnapped.

Currently filming in Spain and Bulgaria, Rambo 5: Final Blood is due to arrive in cinemas next Fall.


What would you give to hang out with Stallone in his Rambo Cave? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page!

10 Things You Never Knew About Sylvester Stallone’s Demolition Man (1993)

Demolition Man

Sylvester Stallone’s Demolition Man Turns 25 Years Old!

On October 8th, 1993, Sylvester Stallone’s sci-fi action opus Demolition Man landed in US cinemas, bringing fans a very different kind of Sly movie. Stallone played John Spartan, a risk-taking police renegade on the tail of Wesley SnipesSimon Phoenix, a pathologically evil crime lord with violent mischief on his mind.

Cryogenically frozen in 1996 after a hostage showdown gone wrong, Spartan wakes in 2032 to a much-changed society. He’s been revived for one reason: to hunt down and apprehend Phoenix, who managed to break out during a parole hearing.

A favourite of Stallone fans thanks to its clever script, eye-catching action and thought-provoking themes, Demolition Man has just turned 25.

Here are 10 things you never knew about the Sly-fi classic.

Could ‘Demolition Man 2’ Finally Be About To Happen?

1) Simon Phoenix Ultimate Offers

Jackie Chan, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal were all approached to play Simon Phoenix. All three declined for the same reason: they didn’t want to play a villain. Chan felt playing a villain would have gone against his screen persona, while Van Damme was keen to play John Spartan but not Phoenix.

UAMC has also given Phoenix an Honorable Mention in the most ultimate action movie bad guys of all time. Read the full list here!

2) Sandra Bullock Over Lori Petty

Sandra Bullock was a late addition to the cast, replacing Lori Petty as Lieutenant Lenina Huxley. Petty, who is best known for Point Break and Tank Girl. quit over what Joel Silver described to Variety as “creative differences.”

Is Sandra Bullock Sylvester Stallone’s Daughter in Demolition Man?

3) Stallone’s On Set Ego

The late Nigel Hawthorne, who played Doctor Raymond Cocteau, didn’t get on with Stallone on set, telling Page Six that Sly was “rude and arrogant” during work on the film. He’s rumoured to have clashed with Snipes too.

4) John Spartan’s Freezing

Stallone hated filming Spartan’s initial cryogenic freezing scene, admitting to AMC he “was terrified” and that “was probably the worst five hours I’ve ever had on movie sets.” That might have been down to the claustrophobic set or the fact Spartan appears to nearly drown just prior to be frozen.

5) Taco Bell vs Pizza Hut

While the US version of the film offers up a vision of a future where Taco Bell is the only remaining restaurant, in some non-American releases Taco Bell is replaced by Pizza Hut. This was mainly in Europe where Taco Bell isn’t that well known.

6) Contested Origins

Hungarian sci-fi writer István Nemere claims Demolition Man is based on his 1986 novel Holtak Harca. It centres on a terrorist and a counter-terrorism soldier who are cryogenically frozen, then awakening the 22nd century to find violence has been purged from society. He claims to have proof the plot was lifted from his book but has refused to take legal action as he claims he cannot afford to hire lawyers.

7) Toned Down Violence

A 2+ hours cut of the film was originally submitted before that version was heavily edited down. Much of the violence used by Phoenix was toned down, including a scene where he murders Bill CobbsZachary Lamb. Some of the fight scenes involving Spartan and the band of criminals Phoenix has released from cryoprison were also cut, which explains why some of them are never seen killed. The most significant omission was a scene in which Phoenix came face to face with his now-adult daughter, who he found living in the sewer.

8) Denis Leary’s Lines

Denis Leary wrote all of his own lines. “I had to write that and pass it through their studio system to get it okayed,” he told In Contention.  “It took forever.  FOREVER.” He claims Snipes went around set on a motorbike along with a big entourage and that filming was delayed for a couple of months after Stallone burst a blood vessel doing a stunt. He’s still not seen the finished film either.

9) The 3 Seashells

No one is entirely sure how the Three Seashells toilet system works however, screenwriter Daniel Waters can explain the origins at least.

There’s a scene where Stallone has to use a restroom,” he explained [via Den of Geek].

I’m trying to come up with futuristic things you’d find in there. I was having trouble, so I called my buddy, another screenwriter across town, asked him if he had any ideas. Ironically enough that guy was taking a dump when he answered the phone, looked around his bathroom and said ‘I have a bag of seashells on my toilet as a decoration?’ I said ‘Okay, I’ll make something out of that’“.

You can also read our UAMC theories on how the 3 seashells work here!

10) A Demolition Man Sequel

There were originally plans for a Demolition Man sequel that would have seen John Spartan team up with his estranged and now-adult daughter. Stallone even had Meryl Streep in mind for the role but, alas, the project never came to pass. [via Projection Booth]


How do you think Demolition Man’s Legacy has aged over the years? Let us know in the comments!