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I Will Destroy You's Michaela Coel will write and direct a remake of Jean-Claude Van Damme martial arts classic Bloodsport

Michaela Coel, the creator of HBO's I May Destroy You, prepares for mortal combat with the Bloodsport remake from A24

An image from Bloodsport — Image credit: Cannon Films

News by Jules Chin Greene, Staff Writer

Published on Wed Mar 18 2026

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Yes, you read that correctly. Michaela Coel, the genius behind I May Destroy You and Chewing Gum, is stepping into the ring with a remake of the Jean-Claude Van Damme martial arts film, Bloodsport, from A24.

Variety characterizes Coel's Bloodsport as a "reimagining," and reported that "it's unclear how closely her take will follow the original film" because plot details haven't yet been revealed. The original Van Damme film followed ol' JC(VD) as a US Army officer fighting in a deadly martial arts tournament in Hong Kong. The film featured other martial arts legends like Bolo Yeung and, amazingly, Forest Whitaker.

In a statement, Coel said, "I have long been in awe of fighters, and astounded by the discipline, intensity and isolation the sport demands of them. I am excited to explore this world, especially so with A24 as my collaborators. LET’S FUCKING GO."

Producer Marc Toberoff shares Coel's enthusiasm. "In 1988, the now-iconic ‘Bloodsport’ introduced audiences to the gritty aesthetic of mixed martial arts. I look forward to bringing back that high-energy tournament format to the big screen again."

Previously, Michaela Coel won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special and the BAFTA for Best Actress (in a TV show) for her show, I May Destroy You, on HBO.

If Mortal Kombat II leaves you hungry for more fighting, then Michaela Coel's Bloodsport has you covered. However, it remains to be seen if Coel's Bloodsport will have an equal number of shots where the lead actor does the splits.

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Jules Chin Greene: Jules Chin Greene is a journalist and Jack Kirby enthusiast. He has written about comics, video games, movies, and television for sites such as Nerdist, AIPT, and Multiverse of Color.