Jean Claude-Van Damme really wants to play Johnny Cage

Esteemed actor and martial artist Jean-Claude Van Damme expressed his desire to play Johnny Cage in the next live-action Mortal Kombat film, in a very circular twist of fate in a Facebook comments section.

You see, the original Mortal Kombat was partially inspired by the actor, and creators Ed Boon and John Tobias were keen to see Van Damme himself star in the game. However, Van Damme was committed to a deal for a different game on the Sega Mega Drive, so the two changed tack and based Johnny Cage on Van Damme (more specifically, his look in Bloodsport).

Now, more than two decades on from the first Mortal Kombat game's release, it's possible that Van Damme will portray the character of Johnny Cage. The Facebook page "Jean-Claude Van Damme is Mortal Kombat Johhny Cage" (yes, that is how they have chosen to spell it) commented on Warner Bros. Pictures profile picture change to promote the new Black Adam film back in June.

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In true Facebook fashion, the comment was posted several months after the profile picture change and had nothing to with The Rock's latest action-packed outing. "You have to cast Hollywood martial arts and action megastar Jean-Claude Van Damme as aging Johnny Cage in the next Mortal Kombat movie," they pleaded, adding that he should show up in new DLC for Mortal Kombat 11, too.

Van Damme then replied, thanking the page for their compliments and support. "I'd definitely love to portray Johnny Cage. Let's see who'll win, him or Guile or me," he said. Guile is of course referring to the time he played the Street Fighter character Colonel William F. Guile in the 1994 film of the same name. So, he is clearly not opposed to lending his skills to another video game adaptation, and there is a Mortal Kombat sequel in the offing which might feature Johnny Cage. We'll just have to hold tight and see.

Topics: Mortal Kombat, TV And Film