I feel like I’ve been hearing about “Jean-Claude Van Johnson” forever by this point, so I’m kind of surprised to learn that the first season hasn’t arrived yet. At any rate, the high concept comedy literally packs a punch, and it’ll be interesting to see how Jean-Claude Van Damme pokes fun at his action hero legacy.
Created and written by Dave Callaham (“The Expendables“) and directed by Peter Atencio (“Keanu“), with Ridley Scott surprisingly among the producers, the series follows Van Damme (playing “himself”), who uses his Hollywood fame as cover for dangerous, undercover missions. It all looks appropriately goofy, though the budget looks… modest, at best. Here’s the official synopsis:
‘Jean-Claude Van Johnson’ stars global martial arts & film sensation Jean-Claude Van Damme playing “Jean-Claude Van Damme,” a global martial arts & film sensation, also operating under the simple alias of “Johnson” as the world’s most dangerous undercover operative. Unhappily retired, a chance encounter lures him back into the game, forcing him to confront the greatest enemy he’s ever faced.
Co-starring Phylicia Rashad, Kat Foster, and Moises Arias, “Jean-Claude Van Johnson” hits Amazon on December 15th.