Jean-Claude Van Damme, aka the "Muscles from Brussels," came to prominence as an action film star in the late 80s. The actor, martial artist, filmmaker, and fight choreographer was born and raised in Brussels, Belgium. With the passion of becoming an actor, Van Damme had aspirations of moving to the United States. During his early life, Van Damme sold flowers in restaurants, before leaving Europe to fulfill his Hollywood dream.
His hard work paid off after making the move to America in 1982. He got his break as the lead in the martial arts film Bloodsport (1988). The year before he was thrust into worldwide fame, Van Damme was thrilled to be working with fellow action stars such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers and Jesse Ventura in Predator (1987).
But unfortunately, Van Damme was never up for a part on the special ops team — instead, he was cast to play the Predator itself. It was reported that Van Damme constantly complained about the monster suit being too hot, causing him to pass out.
He allegedly also voiced reservations about only appearing on camera in the suit - with no one being able to see his handsome face. The situation reportedly caused the actor to walk off the set of Predator.
Jean-Claude Van Damme Broke The Original 'Predator' Costume
In 1987, Van Damme was still looking for his big Hollywood film role. He began martial arts at the age of ten, and earned his black belt by the time he was 18. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Craig Baxley, second unit director and stunt coordinator, recounted watching Van Damme audition for Predator. “[He] jumped up in the air, I swear to God, did the splits with his legs straight out and his crotch was at eye level,” Baxley recalled, “and I’m 6 feet tall.”
Producer Joel Silver immediately hired Van Damme to play the alien. However, it turned out to be a bad call for everyone involved. Van Damme was called to the set to put on the costume, he apparently freaked out and tossed the $20,000 chicken head to the ground, shattering it. Some have suggested that Van Damme destroyed the mask on purpose because he was adamant that his face be seen in the film.
Jean-Claude Van Damme Left The Set Of 'Predator' After Several Complaints
According to various sources, Van Damme constantly complained about wearing the Predator suit in the boiling heat in the Mexico sun. In an interview with Starlog Magazine in 1989, Jean-Claude claimed that the production told him he would basically be wearing a leotard. Instead, he was equipped with a massive outfit that just had a little tube for him to breathe out of.
"My head was in the neck. My hands were in the forearms, and there were cables [attached to my fingers to move the creature’s head and jaws]. My feet were in his calves, so I was on [stilts]. It was a disgusting outfit," Jean-Claude said in the interview.
Van Damme eventually had enough and reportedly left the film after a few days. The role eventually went to Kevin Peter Hall.
Conflicting Reports Suggest Jean-Claude Van Damme Was Fired From 'Predator'
Speaking in an interview with Murder Master Music Show, actor Bill Duke stated that Van Damme was fired from Predator. “So he had a stealth suit on, and they put him on wires, and he flew up in the trees with the wires on his back like he was flying,” Duke said in the interview. “He had passed out twice from dehydration, and the producer came over to him and said, ‘If you pass out again, I’m gonna fire you.'" An angry Van Damme replied, “I’m not passing out on purpose! I’m dehydrated!”
According to Duke the situation only worsened. “Two weeks go by, and the guy passes out. The producer goes over and fires him," Duke alleges.
A second account from the special effects' supervisor Joel Hynek, reveals how he was also fired for refusing to stop kick-boxing on the set of the film. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Hynek stated, “I was in Joel Silver’s trailer, and he had called for Jean-Claude to come see him. And he comes in the trailer, and Joel starts saying, ‘You gotta stop kickboxing!’ — because [Jean-Claude] wanted to kickbox — and he was telling him, ‘Look, the Predator is not a kickboxer.’”
Van Damme quipped back, “I must do that; that’s how I see the Predator,” before the producer walked in and bluntly stated, “Well, you’re fired. Get out of here”. To which Van Damme allegedly replied: “Kiss my *****."
Despite the drama, Van Damme has said in later interviews that he appreciates the time he had on Predator and has no regrets about missing that role.
