Jean-Claude Van Damme to star in 'Kickboxer: Retaliation'

Los Angeles: Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme is officially returning for "Kickboxer: Retaliation", the sequel to "Kickboxer: Vengeance".

The Belgian actor had starred in "Kickboxer: Vengeance" as a karate master. He played the lead in the original 1989 "Kickboxer".

Dimitri Logothetis, who holds two Black Belts, is the writer and producer of "Kickboxer: Vengeance," and is directing the sequel.

Van Damme signed his contract live on video via his official Facebook page this week, reports variety.com.

"JC brings his charisma and martial arts talents to ‘Kickboxer' as no other actor can," Logothetis said.

Filming begins in Thailand next week. The sequel also stars Mike Tyson, Ronaldinho, and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson.

"Kickboxer: Vengeance" is directed by John Stockwell, and stars Alain Moussi, Dave Bautista, Gina Carano, Georges St-Pierre and Darren Shahlavi.