One of our most reliable sources tell us that Sony is in the process of developing some new DTV sequels, and one of those sequels will be Universal Soldier 3. Of course there’s already been something called Universal Soldier III. In 1998 a bunch of spare parts starred in a made for TV movie called Universal Soldier III: Unfinished Business. So they’ll come up with something else to call it, probably a title without a number in it.
The exciting thing here is that it’s not just another direct to DVD sequel with a bunch of replacement parts. Jean-Claude Van Damme, who starred in the original Universal Soldier, is in talks to topline this new one. Right now they’re developing it as a DTV project, but if they get him and if some of Van Damme’s other upcoming projects like Full Love do well, there’s a chance it could end up becoming a theatrical release. There’ve been whispers that Dolph Lundgren may be involved too, though that’s little more than a rumor at this point.
The original Universal Soldier first hit theaters back in 1992, directed by now king of the disaster movie Roland Emmerich and starring then relevant Dolph Lundgren and Jean-Claude Van Damme. Jean-Claude plays a super soldier who breaks free from his killing programming and goes on the run, pursued by another super soldier played by the muscles of Dolph Lundgren.
For now this sounds like its a project still in the early planning stages, and things can change. Until we can get more confirmation on what's happening with it from Sony, consider this a solid rumor.
I like the sound of that, if indeed they can do a decent version. Would be pretty awesome if they got Dolph to direct it. To be honest you could also come up with even the most ridiculous plotline to have Dolph in it, and it'd still work, perhaps something inline with the ripley clone plot in Alien Ressurection? Probably won't happen, but I'd like to see a decent Unisol sequal, even if it's just with Jean Claude.
Cinema Blend? How reliable is that?! They stress so much the point that they have a "reliable source" and tell people to "consider it a solid rumor" that it's very suspicious...
Coming from Sony sure I wouldn't be surprised they try to develop it in search for some quick and easy cash in, but they might be surprised when they get turned down... I don't even see JC coming back for another one after "US The Return" debacle, and both he and Dolph have different ambitions now...
For some reason I also think that some people enjoy spreading those rumors such as the JC/Dolph team up in "Street Fighter 2" or Dolph in "Rocky VI" etc, that they know will be published all around the world...
It would make sense that Sony want to do a sequel to Universal Soldier. It's an idea that could do very well on DVD, if they manage to get Van Damme and Dolph back. Van Damme has previously said of all his films he'd be most willing to do sequals to Unisol, Timecop, Double Impact and Bloodsport. However more recently he's said he doesn't want to do any more made for video spec films, like The Shepherd etc. Van Damme wants to concentrate on developing his own projects and doing indie films like JCVD. He changes his mind a lot so something like a Unisol sequel might tempt him, but I doubt it. I wouldn't want another sequel without Van Damme or Dolph though.
Uh... guys... am I the only one who remembers the part when Van Damme sliced-and-diced Dolph in the original? How the hell COULD he come back, even if he wanted to?
"Loosly translated... out of the frying pan and boned up the ass with a red hot poker."
-Showdown In Little Tokyo
Dolph is cloned from DNA or something, or his face is put onto a new body, like a replica of his body..some new technology and Van Damme becomes a Unisol again to stop Dolph when he realises he's on the rampage again and becoming a Unisol again himself is the only way to stop him..
"Are we having fun yet?" - Dolph Lundgren, Universal Soldier
I love UNIVERSAL SOLDIER, but let's be honest. The series doesn't need the believability and detailed explanations that you'd expect from something like THE GODFATHER films.
If they could somehow get Van Damme and Lundgren to square-off again all I'd really want is what we got from the first film, terrific action.
For sure IMHO.
If ever you get Dolph and VD together again let it be a different concept (like "Icarus")...
Here's what Sheldon Lettich says:
I already confirmed this a few weeks ago, that JC was offered US-3. This was when someone else posted a rumor about a "Time Cop" sequel (which I don't believe is true). What I don't know is if JC has decided to accept the offer, or if Dolph has also received an offer to be in the movie.
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