„Lots of It is Bullsh*t”. Jean-Claude Van Damme Criticizes Hollywood Stars Who Claim to do Their Own Stunts
Jean-Claude Van Damme highly values stuntmen. The action movie star also believes that people should be more skeptical of some Hollywood actors' boasts.
Jean-Claude Van Damme is an icon. Although the peak of his career is behind him, he still eagerly talks about the entertainment industry and shares insights about the movie world in interviews. In a 2023 conversation with Telegraph, the action movie star decided to talk about stuntmen.
Often we hear that some Hollywood star has performed all the demanding or dangerous scenes in a movie without help of stunt doubles. An actor famously known for doing his own stunts is, of course, Tom Cruise.
While we cannot doubt, due to numerous behind-the-scenes materials, that the Mission: Impossible star indeed does his own stunts, we should be more skeptical about other artists. At least that's what Jean-Claude Van Damme suggests, implying that actors' boasts can often be just a marketing gimmick.
When you hear on TV ‘they did their own stunts’, lots of it is bullsh*t.
Jean-Claude Van Damme himself admitted that he did not always perform in stunt scenes in his movies. He has nothing against CGI, but real action is what he likes the most. Therefore, he appreciates stuntmen and speaks positively about them. Although they have often did difficult tasks and made him "look strong", he has never allowed them to do what he does best.
I’m very proud of them because they make me look very strong. But when I do a kick, that’s my specialty, no stunt guys. By the way, guys, put it in slow motion so they can see it’s me! We need stuntmen. Stuntmen are great.
It should come as no surprise then that Jean-Claude Van Damme believes that stuntmen should have their own Oscars’ category.
