Summary

Action starJean - Claude Van Dammehas unusually present the hero , but there have been several occasion where he showed off his villainous side . Although movies likeBloodsportandUniversal Solidercast him as the lead protagonist , some of Van Damme ’s in force performance came when he was allowed to let loose and play a minatory baddie . Through mind - bending sci - fi films to sensation - studded natural action franchise , Van Damme has had his fair part of nefarious roles in the 45 years since his acting debut .

Van Damme ’s best movieshave always employ his incredible personal magnetism and unequaled projection screen presence , and his nefarious performances were no different . From his earliest roles in press film likeNo Retreat , No Surrenderright up until he joinedThe Expendablesseries in the 21st century , Van Damme has systematically surprised viewers by playing against character and being a antic scoundrel . As one of the capital action moving-picture show star of all time , the only affair incorrect with Van Damme ’s villainous roles was that there were n’t enough of them .

8Swelter (2014)

Jean-Claude Van Damme as Stillman

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Cast

Swelter is a crime thriller direct by Keith Parmer , featuring Lennie James as a sheriff with a mysterious past . The moving picture follows a group of former cant robber who , after escaping from prison house , seek out their hidden prize in a small desert town . carbon monoxide - star Alfred Molina and Jean - Claude Van Damme , Swelter explores themes of retaliation and redemption against a rugged , unforgiving landscape painting .

Jean - Claude Van Damme was the unspoilt part ofSwelter , where he rose above a gangster westerly - influenced action movie to deliver a subtle nefarious performance . Taking place 10 year after a casino heist , four of the gang member tracked down their sometime partner , who , at the meter , made off with the money but , due to amnesia , claimed to have no store of what happened . Van Damme was Stillman , the crew drawing card , who had much more complexity than the mean action - movie villain .

Overall , Swelterfelt like it was trying to emulate the stylistic atmosphere ofdirectors like Quentin Tarantinoand Robert Rodriguez , but it unfortunately neglect the mark . With flashbacks throughout and characters ' relationships that were so complicated that they overpowered the enitre film , Swelterbuckled under its own ambition . There ’s the makings of a swell motion-picture show here , and Van Damme helped carry thing through , but it failed to reach the heights of his best work .

Sidious, Tyranus, Maul, and Vader.

7Replicant (2001)

Jean-Claude Van Damme as Edward “the Torch” Garrotte

Replicant stars Jean - Claude Van Damme in a duple part as a serial killer and the clone replicant created to catch him . The replicant , possessing the killer ’s memories and instincts , teams up with a seasoned investigator to track down his other ego , extend to a moral and physical struggle between the two .

One of Jean - Claude Van Damme ’s most psychologically challenging roles wasReplicant , a thrilling sci - fi action cinema in which he played the serial killer Edward Garrote and a cloned version of himself . At first , this replicant of Garrote had the mind of a child , but later , matter develop much more complex as he reckoned with his true nature while hunt down the real Garrote . InReplicant , Van Damme had to walk a fine agate line between two very different reference , which paid off well and create an interesting dynamic .

This was not the first clip that Van Damme played a threefold role , with other examples beingDouble ImpactandMaximum Risk . However , the villainous nature of playing a consecutive cause of death was something completely newfangled for Van Damme . Replicantmay be more or less more challenging than what it manage to root for off , but it earned points for trying and was a lot of fun . It may not go down as one of Van Damme ’s good movies , butReplicant proven thateven as he get into his XL , this warlike creative person could still fork out action - pack sport in spades .

Ben Affleck as Christian drumming his hand on the table while talking to Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s Marybeth in The Accountant 2

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6Assassination Games (2011)

Jean-Claude Van Damme as Vincent Brazil

Assassination Games is a 2011 action thriller directed by Ernie Barbarash . Jean - Claude Van Damme and Scott Adkins star as rival assassins who imprint an uneasy alignment to take down a plebeian enemy . Set against a backdrop of subversion and vengeance , the picture explores topic of loyalty and payback as the two men navigate a perilous netherworld .

It ’s intemperate to pinpoint exactly who the villain was in a movie about assassins and declaration Orcinus orca , but Jean - Claude Van Damme ’s character inAssassination Gamescertainly had a nefarious streak . Van Damme play Vincent Brazil , a ruthless killer uncoerced to take on any job if the price was right . Tension jump , and the stakes increased as Vincent and the sack out assassin Roland Flint ( Scott Adkins ) found themselves compete after the same grievance to take out the drug kingpin Polo Yakur ( Ivan Kaye . )

character assassination Gameswas a fun action celluloid that featured Van Damme play against type as a more sinister , virtuously confutative character . With dubious ethic and a willingness to act dirty , Assassination Gamesprovided shiver , even if the conflict choreography was n’t as excellent as can normally be expect from Van Damme . Assassination Gameswas an interesting improver to Van Damme ’s filmography , but by no means a must - see .

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5Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)

Jean-Claude Van Damme as Jean-Clawed

Minions : The Rise of Gru is the second Minions movie and the 5th flick overall in the Despicable Me franchise . The Minions sequel again asterisk Steve Carell as an eleven - year - old Gru who want to become a supervillain . The only problem is that there ’s a new radical in town call the Vicious 6 that set up a spanner in his programme .

minion : The Rise of Gruwas the origin tale of the supervillain Felonious Gru , which featured activeness film asterisk Jean - Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren as fellow member of the ill-famed supervillain squad , the Vicious 6 . In a highly self - aware role , Van Damme played Jean - Clawed , a French foe with a robotlike pincer for a right subdivision . This humourous appearance leaned into Van Damme ’s legacy , and his character ’s name was a reference that sure went over younger spectator ' heads , but it was an enjoyable Easter eggs for grownup action lovers watching with their tiddler .

An pleasurable incoming intothe hugely popularDespicable Mefranchise , Jean - Clawed and the rest of the Vicious 6 move as the master antagonists ofMinions : The Rise of Gruand were defeated by Gru and Minions . While the Vicious 6 got slenderly more farcical as the pic build after they transformed into giant animals , Minions : The Rise of Grumore than hand over on its promise of family - favorable playfulness . Van Damme has been principally recognize for his work in action movies , but this show off his capability as a animated cartoon villain , and they were not bad at all .

Jean-Claude-Van-Damme-as-Replicant–Edward-Garrotte-from-Replicant-and-Jean-Claude-Van-Damme-as-Vincent-Brazil-from-Assassination-Games

Custom image by Yeider Chacon

4No Retreat, No Surrender (1985)

Jean-Claude Van Damme as Ivan “the Russian” Kraschinsky

After making a name for himself in karate and kickboxing competitions , Jean - Claude Van Damme decided to utilize his literal - biography fight skills on the magnanimous sieve . One of Van Damme ’s earliest film part came as the villain inNo Retreat , No Surrender , where he play the Soviet martial creative person Ivan Kraschinsky , who was determined to take down the teenage hero Jason Stillwater ( Kurt McKinney . ) As a pitiless and feared fighter , Van Damme showed off his accomplishment at playing the villain old age before he became widely known as a Hero of Alexandria .

WhileNo Retreat , No Surrender , at clip felt derivative ofThe Karate Kid , it fork over plenty of activity - packed playfulness and hinted at Van Damme ’s chop-chop soar star potential . One error was that Van Damme ’s concealment time was limited , but he was a powerful presence and a fearsome scoundrel whenever he appear . With bang-up choreography that yield protection to preceding Kung Fu movies , No Retreat , No Surrenderwas deserving checking out for Van Damme alone .

3Black Eagle (1988)

Jean-Claude Van Damme as Andrei

CIA broker must outrace KGB agent in searching of super arm lost in Mediterranean in this activity movie mastermind by Eric Karson .

Full of dual agents , twists and turns , and hatful of action - packed fun , Black Eaglewas a 1988 action photographic film where Jean - Claude Van Damme got to show off his villainous side . Released the same year as his breakout part inBloodsport , Black Eaglecast Van Damme as the elite Russian KGB agent Andrei , who was on the hunting for a helpless tops weapon in the Mediterranean . With a stale and calculated front , roles like this made audience wish he bet the villain more often .

Black Eaglewas like a cross betweenJames Bondand Kung Fu as Ken Tani ( Shō Kosugi ) seek to outwit Andrei and come out on top . The two face-off between Kosugi and Van Damme were the movie ’s highlights , as the excellent fight sequences kick back the tension into high power train . WhileBlack Eagledoesn’t live up to the bequest ofBloodsportfrom the same earned run average , it ’s still an deadly enjoyable early function that showed off a different side to the Belgian fighter .

Swelter (2014) - Poster - Lennie James, Grant Bowler & Cataline SAndino moreno

Swelter is a crime thriller directed by Keith Parmer, featuring Lennie James as a sheriff with a mysterious past. The film follows a group of former bank robbers who, after escaping from prison, seek out their hidden loot in a small desert town. Co-starring Alfred Molina and Jean-Claude Van Damme, Swelter explores themes of revenge and redemption against a rugged, unforgiving landscape.

2Enemies Closer (2013)

Jean-Claude Van Damme as Xander

enemy Closer is an military action thriller directed by Peter Hyams , featuring Jean - Claude Van Damme , Tom Everett Scott , and Orlando Jones . The film focuses on a former Navy SEAL wrench forest ranger who finds himself in a deadly encounter with a drug combine search for a missing shipment . As he battle the cartel , he must also contest with a sworn foe who seek vengeance , all within the confines of a remote wilderness .

It was a treat to watch Jean - Claude Van Damme have a fantastic metre playing the villain Xander inEnemies Closer . In an intense natural process thriller involving a Navy SEAL forced to team up with the human send to kill him , Van Damme played the deranged criminal offense lord , who was so sinister that both men were forced to put their differences apart . With an interesting premiss , Van Damme made the most of this role as he barked orders at his henchmen and taunted everyone who stood in his way .

Enemies Closerwas at its good when Van Damme was on - screen , and disappointingly , the parts without him lacked the bite and urgency that made his parts of the motion-picture show so great . This wasVan Damme ’s third collaboration with director Peter HyamsfollowingTimecopandSudden Death , and it ’s reset the filmmaker had ascertain how to get the good out of the warriorlike arts ace . For Van Damme fan , Enemies Closerwas an essential viewing experience and one of his best villainous roles .

Headshot Of Jean-Claude Van Damme

1The Expendables 2 (2012)

Jean-Claude Van Damme as Vilain

The Expendables 2 reunites some of the most famous legal action stars in movie account in an volatile mission to stop Jean Claude Van Damme ’s terrorist drawing card Jean Vilain . This meter , 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 .

After witness natural process virtuoso Sylvester Stallone , Jason Statham , Jet Li , and Dolph Lundgren make out together inThe Expendables , it felt appropriate that Jean - Claude Van Damme be throw in the continuation , The Expendables 2 . Van Damme spiel Jean Vilain , the warriorlike artist soldier of fortune and terrorist drawing card who attempt to make for the world to its knees with five lots of weapons - grade plutonium . This role was a set of fun and helped solidifyThe Expendablesas one of the most enjoyable modernistic military action franchise .

Interestingly , Stallone offered Van Dammed a function in the firstExpendables , but he rejected it and , only following the original ’s incredible success , adjudicate to link the franchise . One of Vilain ’s good scene came in his last hand - to - hand encounter against Barney Ross , which lead to his death . This was a powerful bit , but it sadly meant thatJean - Claude Van Dammeonly ever come out in oneExpendablesfilm . As a franchise full of the greatest military action movie stars of all time , it was only appropriate that Van Damme come out .

Headshot Of Alfred Molina

Headshot Of Catalina Sandino Moreno

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Replicant (2001) Movie Poster

Replicant stars Jean-Claude Van Damme in a dual role as a serial killer and the cloned replicant created to catch him. The replicant, possessing the killer’s memories and instincts, teams up with a seasoned detective to track down his other self, leading to a moral and physical battle between the two.

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Cast Placeholder Image

Assassination Games (2011) - Poster - Van Damme & Scott Adkins Holding Weapons

Assassination Games is a 2011 action thriller directed by Ernie Barbarash. Jean-Claude Van Damme and Scott Adkins star as rival assassins who form an uneasy alliance to take down a common enemy. Set against a backdrop of corruption and vengeance, the film explores themes of loyalty and retribution as the two men navigate a perilous underworld.

Headshot Of Scott Adkins

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Minions: The Rise of Gru is the second Minions film and the fifth movie overall in the Despicable Me franchise. The Minions sequel again stars Steve Carell as an eleven-year-old Gru who wants to become a supervillain. The only problem is that there’s a new group in town called the Vicious 6 that puts a wrench in his plans.

Headshot Of Pierre Coffin

Jean-Claude Van Damme in No Retreat No Surrender movie pic

Black Eagle (1988) - Poster - Van Damme Spliting

CIA agent must outrace KGB agent in searching of super weapon lost in Mediterranean in this action movie directed by Eric Karson.

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Enemies Closer (2013) - Poster - Van Damme

Enemies Closer is an action thriller directed by Peter Hyams, featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Tom Everett Scott, and Orlando Jones. The film focuses on a former Navy SEAL turned forest ranger who finds himself in a deadly confrontation with a drug cartel searching for a missing shipment. As he battles the cartel, he must also contend with a sworn enemy who seeks vengeance, all within the confines of a remote wilderness.

Headshot Of Tom Everett Scott

The Expendables 2 Movie Poster

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.

Headshot Of Sylvester Stallone

Headshot Of Jason Statham