Van Damme plots reality show in Dubai: report

Expect to see Jean-Claude Van Damme filming in the region soon.

The Hollywood action hero jetted into Dubai recently to discuss the details of a reality TV show with local producers, according to media reports. This likely means that the star could be looking for companies to fund a mixed martial arts concept that was first reported in January.

The former bodybuilder is training to make a return to professional fighting and is currently scheduled to fight former boxing Olympic gold-medalist Somluck Kamsing in April 2011, in Russia. The winner of that match will face current world champion Jeffrey "The Squasher" Sun. At the prospect of being the first man over the age of 50 to fight professionally, Jean-Claude Van Damme stated that "it's kind of dangerous, but life is short." A documentary of his preparation is currently in production for British network ITV.

Meanwhile, the Belgian actor was also looking to firm up retail alliances in the UAE for his JCVD line of watches and sportswear, which cashes in on his image as an action star.

"I did a film called JCVD recently where I opened my heart to the public," he said in an interview with Gulf News. "That was very positively received and we decided to extend that brand."

On his website, the line is described as a range of luxury watches conceived in collaboration with Swiss manufacturers. They are to be priced from Dh1,000. Each watch will be accompanied by a pair of autographed boxing gloves. The line is expected to go on sale in the UAE next year.

A range of caps and T-shirts and other merchandise is also set to become available soon.

The new move has proved particularly popular in Belgium, Russia and China.

"Throughout my career, I was offered so many branding deals and I thought this was the right time to go with it," the publication quoted the actor as saying.

Van Damme was offered a lead role in Sylvester Stallone's latest film "The Expendables", but turned it down saying that he "didn't want his career going down that route." He has a series of film projects warmed up for 2011, including another "Universal Soldier" movie which will appear between 2011 and 2012.

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