Toys - Jean-Claude Van Damme Stars in New Merchandise from Diamond Select Toys!

By Mulder, 17 march 2022

A legend in movies and martial arts, Jean-Claude Van Damme has thrilled audiences with his high-kicking moves in such films as Bloodsport, Cyborg, Street Fighter and more. But collectible products based on the actor have been few and far between. Now, Van Damme has partnered with Diamond Select Toys to create a line of collectible products featuring JCVD™ himself!

Depicting the star at various points in his career, in some of his most iconic outfits and poses, the new product line will include Deluxe action figures, Gallery PVC Dioramas, Legends in 3D half-scale busts, and resin statues. Pre-orders will begin in early 2022 for late 2022 shipping.

“Jean-Claude Van Damme is the ultimate action film star,” said Diamond Select Toys president Chuck Terceira. “He’s got skills, talent, charisma and an amazingly enthusiastic global fan base. We hope that we can do justice to both Van Damme himself and the legions of fans who have seen all of his movies. We have some great products lined up, and we can’t wait to show them to the world.”

Belgium-born Jean-Claude Van Damme began studying karate at the age of 12, and competed until 1982, when he moved to the United States to become an actor. After playing the villain in No Retreat, No Surrender, he began a series of starring roles that cemented him as a leading man – Bloodsport, Cyborg, Kickboxer, Lionheart, Death Warrant, Double Impact and Universal Soldier. He has also written and directed films.

Born and raised in Brussels, Belgium, at the age of ten his father enrolled him in martial arts classes, which led to Van Damme entering several competitions. With the desire of becoming an actor, he moved to the United States in 1982, where he did odd jobs and worked on several films, until he got his break as the lead in the martial arts film Bloodsport (1988). Van Damme became a popular action film star and followed up with Cyborg (1989), Kickboxer (1989), Lionheart (1990), Death Warrant (1990), Double Impact (1991), Universal Soldier (1992), Nowhere to Run (1993), Hard Target (1993), Timecop (1994), Street Fighter (1994), Sudden Death (1995), The Quest (1996), Maximum Risk (1996), etc. After a decline, Van Damme returned to prominence with the critically acclaimed crime drama JCVD (2008). From thereon Van Damme continued starring in more action films and playing supporting roles in The Expendables 2 (2012), the Kung Fu Panda franchise (2011–2016), and the Kickboxer reboot (2016–2018).

Diamond Select Toys and Collectibles, LLC, was founded in 1999 to create unique and exciting collectibles for children and adults alike, and with the acquisition of Art Asylum in 2007 and Gentle Giant Ltd. in 2019, they have become the premier source for pop-culture products. “DST” licenses a variety of entertainment properties from partners Marvel, Disney, Lucasfilm, Universal, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Sega, Netflix and Sony Pictures. Products include Gallery Dioramas, Select action figures, Vinimates vinyl figures, Minimates mini-figures, statues, busts and more. They are headquartered in Hunt Valley, MD. For more information, visit www.diamondselecttoys.com and www.gentlegiantltd.com.

(Source : press release)