Scheduling conflicts have forced Tony Jaa to drop out, but that has left the door open for Van Damme to take his place. Only now he'll be the master rather than the student as he was in the original 1989 film. Van Damme will play an updated version of Master Chow, who trains an American fighter in the ways of kickboxing so he can defeat brutal Muay Thai champ Tong Po (Dave Bautista) and avenge his brother's death. Alain Moussi stars, with UFC champ Georges St. Pierre also a part of the lineup.
Unfortunately, the loss of Tony Jaa isn't the only major problem the film has to overcome. Director Stephen Fung (Tai Chi Zero) has dropped out and been replaced by John Stockwell, who last helmed the forgettable Gina Carano flick, In the Blood. [THR]
is a movie I never wanted to see remade. Sure it's got some mold on it, but I think the themes and ideas are still as relevant as ever. However, if it's going to be done anyway you'll hardly hear me complain about the choices of Nicholas Winding Refn(
) directing and Ryan Gosling starring. Alex Garland hammered out the last script for the film, but apparently Warner Brothers wants to try something a bit different, bringing in Will Beall to draft a new one. Beall has been on fire lately, especially with WB, who love him right now over his script for Tales From the Gangster Squad. 
may not have a director yet, but we do know when it'll explode into movie theaters. The David Agosto and Ken Kaufman scripted actioner will open on August 17th, 2012, going head-to-head with exactly nobody at this point. The only competition right now comes the week before from the GI Joe sequel. So far all we know about the film is that Stallone will be back. So will Randy Couture, but nobody else is locked in. There's a chance we'll see Bruce Willis and the newly animated Arnold Schwarzenegger return, while Jean-Claude Van Damme has also been rumored. The Expendables earned over $270M worldwide last year.
as a possible directing gig, but the lead role seems perfect for him as well. The Steve Erickson novel follows Ike Jerome, a 24 year old film fanatic who travels to Hollywood in 1969 to get into the movie business. His shaved head features tattoos of Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift in "A Place in the Sun", Ike becomes a successful film editor whose journey ends in tragedy and horrific discovery. The book features appearances by numerous notable celebrities, like Robert De Niro, Ryan O'Neal, Ali McGraw, and Brian De Palma. Thanks to 
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