Editing Jean-Claude Van Damme (section)

=== 2008 to 2013: Return to mainstream ===
[[File:Jean claude Van Damme sur le tournage de JCVD en octobre 2007.jpg|thumb|Van Damme on the set of [[JCVD (film)|''JCVD'']] in October 2007]]

Van Damme returned to the mainstream with the limited theatrical release of the 2008 film ''[[JCVD (film)|JCVD]]'', which received positive reviews. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]] Magazine'' named his performance in the film the second best of the year (after [[Heath Ledger]]'s The Joker in ''[[The Dark Knight]]''),<ref>{{cite news|last=Corliss|first=Richard|title=The Top 10 Everything of 2008: Top 10 Movie Performances|newspaper=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/2008/top10/article/0,30583,1855948_1864351_1864363,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211072609/http://www.time.com/time/specials/2008/top10/article/0,30583,1855948_1864351_1864363,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 December 2008|access-date=1 October 2009|date=3 November 2008}}</ref> having previously stated that Van Damme "deserves not a black belt, but an Oscar."<ref>{{cite news|last=Corliss|first=Richard|author2=Grossman, Lev |author3=Ponewozik, James |author4= Zoglin, Richard |date=13 November 2008|title=Short List|newspaper=Time|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1858885,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121194258/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1858885,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 November 2008|access-date=1 October 2009}}</ref> Also in 2008, he starred in [[Isaac Florentine]]'s ''[[The Shepherd: Border Patrol]].''

He then reprised his role as [[Luc Deveraux]] alongside [[Dolph Lundgren]] in the 2009 film ''[[Universal Soldier: Regeneration]]'', directed by [[John Hyams]]. The film was released theatrically in the Middle East and Southeast Asia and directly to video in the United States and other parts of the world. Since its release, the film has received mostly positive reviews, with praise towards the performances and surprisingly high production values.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brianorndorf.com/2010/01/film-review-universal-soldier-regeneration.html|title=This is Briandom – Universal Soldier: Regeneration|publisher=Brian Orndorf|access-date=2 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/universal-soldier-regeneration-2009|title=Universal Soldier: Regeneration Review|date=31 December 2009|publisher=[[Dread Central]]|access-date=22 May 2011|archive-date=8 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008114414/http://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/universal-soldier-regeneration-2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/universal_soldier_3/comments.php?reviewid=1865455|title=Universal Soldier: Regeneration Review|author=Villaca, Pablo|website=Rotten Tomatoes|language=pt|access-date=22 May 2011}}</ref>

In 2010, he directed himself in the barely released ''[[Full Love]].'' That same year, he turned down the role of Gunner Jensen in the first instalment of [[The Expendables (2010 film)|''The Expendables'']] and the role went to [[Dolph Lundgren]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Godfrey|first=Alex|date=10 August 2012|title=Jean-Claude Van Damme: 'I tried to play the system; I was blacklisted'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/aug/10/van-damme-expendables-2|access-date=24 July 2018|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref>

In 2011, he voiced Master Croc in the computer animation film ''[[Kung Fu Panda 2]]''. In the film, he voices a character who helps the heroes of the previous film. That same year, he co-starred with [[Scott Adkins]] in ''[[Assassination Games]]''. Also in 2011, he played a role in the French comedy ''[[Beur sur la ville]].'' Also that year, he starred in his own reality TV show ''[[Jean-Claude Van Damme: Behind Closed Doors|Behind Closed Doors]]''. The show showcases his family life, his personal troubles, and an upcoming fight. Since 2009, he has been planning to make a comeback to fight former boxing Olympic gold-medalist [[Somluck Kamsing]].<ref name="Kickboxing">{{Cite web |last=Baage |first=Natalia  |date=8 September 2009 |title=Jean-Claude Van Damme to fight Somluck Kamsing in K-1 |url=http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-news/Jean-Claude-Van-Damme-to-fight-Somluck-Kamsing-in-K-1.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203180052/http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-news/Jean-Claude-Van-Damme-to-fight-Somluck-Kamsing-in-K-1.html/ |archive-date=3 February 2010 |publisher=Five Knuckles}}</ref><ref name="Kamsing">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybNYV0Y55qU "Jean-Claude Van Damme Talks about Kamsing Fight in May or June 2012"]. [[YouTube]]. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2012</ref><ref name="KMRU">[http://www.km.ru/v-rossii/2011/11/11/shou-biznes/zhan-klod-van-damm-reshil-provesti-boi-v-groznom "Жан-Клод Ван Дамм решил провести бой в Грозном"]. KM.RU Новости. 11 November 2011</ref> The fight was a focal point in his ITV reality show ''[[Jean Claude Van Damme: Behind Closed Doors|Behind Closed Doors]]''. The fight has been repeatedly postponed, with many critics doubting it will occur, especially due to the difficulty of booking the venue.<ref name="k636">{{cite web | title=Jean-Claude Van Damme vs Somrak Kamsing in 2012? Are you serious bro? | website=All The Best Fights.com | date=18 October 2012 | url=https://www.allthebestfights.com/somluck-vs-jean-claude-van-damme-vs-somrak-kamsing-fight-december-2012-news-jaca/ | access-date=24 August 2024}}</ref>

In 2012, he acted in the Russian [[comedy film]] named ''[[Rzhevsky Versus Napoleon]],'' and ''[[U.F.O. (2013 film)|U.F.O.]]''<ref name="j979">{{cite web | title=Jean-Claude Van Damme to shoot UFO film in Derby | website=BBC News | date=15 August 2011 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-14530408 | access-date=24 August 2024}}</ref>  He starred in ''[[Dragon Eyes]]'', ''[[Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning]]'', and ''[[Six Bullets]]''.<ref>White, James (22 June 2011). [http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=31296 "Jean-Claude Van Damme Finds Six Bullets."] ''Empire (film magazine)''. Retrieved 3 April 2014.</ref>

Also that year, he starred as the main villain in ''[[The Expendables 2]]''. The film series follows a mercenary group as they undertake a mission which evolves into a quest for revenge against a rival mercenary (Van Damme). The film was a success, grossing over $310 million worldwide, and was his big return to the action genre.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mtv.com/news/gpfv7m/jean-claude-van-damme-expendables-2-interview | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113124737/https://www.mtv.com/news/gpfv7m/jean-claude-van-damme-expendables-2-interview | url-status=dead | archive-date=13 November 2023 | title=Q&A: Jean-Claude van Damme Kicks It with Us, Talks Villainy, Sequels & Remakes | website=[[MTV]] }}</ref> ''Empire''{{'}}s Nick de Semlyen praised Van Damme's "grandstanding, plutonium-crazed baddie" and Lundgren's "action-troll" as high points in the film.<ref name="RevEmpire">{{cite news|first=Nick |last=de Semlyen |title=The Expendables 2 |url=https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=137367 |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]] |date=13 August 2012 |access-date=16 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114082255/http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=137367 |archive-date=14 November 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Also that year, he was seen as part of Kam Sing's ring crew when Kam Sing fought against [[Jomhod Kiatadisak]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7U_hM8ve8A "Somrack Kamsing and Jean-Claude Van Damme - Friendship and hon"]. [[YouTube]]. Retrieved 29 November 2013.</ref> He also appeared in commercials for [[Coors Light]] beer, showing him on a snow-covered mountain wearing a sleeveless denim jacket,<ref>Nudd, Tim (17 June 2011). [http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/ad-day-coors-light-132657 "Ad of the Day: Coors Light Jean Claude Van Damme compares the beer to his frozen crotch"]. ''[[Adweek]]''.</ref> and for the washing powder Dash. On 21 October 2012, he was honored with a life-size statue of himself in his hometown of [[Brussels]]. He told reporters during the unveiling, "Belgium is paying me back something, but really it's to pay back to the dream. So when people come by here, it is not Jean-Claude van Damme but it's a guy from the street who believed in something. I want the statue to represent that".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121028201429/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hollywood/article/87661.html "Jean-Claude Van Damme statue unveiled"]. India Glitz. 26 October 2012</ref>

In 2013, he acted in the comedy ''[[Welcome to the Jungle (2013 film)|Welcome to the Jungle]].'' Also that year'','' he played the main villain in ''[[Enemies Closer]],'' an American [[Action film|action]] [[thriller film]] directed by [[Peter Hyams]].<ref>[http://www.craveonline.com/film/articles/607077-exclusive-poster-enemies-closer "Exclusive Poster: Enemies Closer"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913120834/http://www.craveonline.com/film/articles/607077-exclusive-poster-enemies-closer |date=13 September 2014 }}. [[CraveOnline]]. 20 November 2013.</ref> On 13 November 2013, [[Volvo Trucks]] released an advertisement on [[YouTube]] that shows Van Damme doing the [[Split (gymnastics)|splits]] while perched with each of his feet on the outer rearview mirrors of one [[semi-trailer truck]] and one [[box truck]] moving backwards, which he describes in the commercial as "the most epic of splits". The video quickly went viral around the web, receiving more than 11 million views in three days,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://descrier.co.uk/oddities/2013/11/watch-jean-claude-van-damme-splits-two-volvo-trucks/|title=Watch Jean-Claude Van Damme do the splits between two Volvo trucks|date=16 November 2013|work=The Descrier|access-date=27 November 2013}}</ref> 35 million in the first week.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stargazing_blog/2013/11/channing_tatum_recreates_jean_claude_van_damme_s_epic_split.html|title=Channing Tatum recreates Jean-Claude Van Damme's epic split|author=Arpe, Malene|date=20 November 2013|work=[[Toronto Star|The Star]]|access-date=27 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131123123208/http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stargazing_blog/2013/11/channing_tatum_recreates_jean_claude_van_damme_s_epic_split.html|archive-date=23 November 2013|url-status=dead}} The Descrier. 16 November 2013</ref> It was dubbed as ''[[The Epic Split]]''.<ref name="n949">{{cite web | last=Nudd | first=Tim | title=Why Van Damme's 'Epic Split' Was the Perfect Storm for One NYC Creative Director | website=Adweek | date=25 August 2017 | url=https://www.adweek.com/creativity/why-van-dammes-epic-split-was-the-perfect-storm-for-one-nyc-creative-director/ | access-date=24 August 2024}}</ref>