The life of Jean-Claude Van Damme is a perfect example. Once a symbol of the pursuit of the American dream (as he leaves Brussels), he went on to achieve worldwide celebrity status only to fall into a life of excess: drugs, sex and an eventual fall from grace.

My intention in making this film was not to produce a true-to-life biopic of the "Fred Astaire" of karate. Far from it. This was an excellent opportunity to create a whimsical biography showcased in a foolproof setting, that is, within the genre – of a hostage and cop movie. This allows the actor a rare and exceptional stage on which to play and to perhaps clear up a few stories about his life and career.

Sergio Leone held that directing is as simple as deciding to place the camera at a certain mark, on a certain angle as opposed to choosing any other mark or angle.

In structuring the film along a non-linear timeline, the viewer receives a relatively objective presentation of facts (through the character Bruges), later going through the same scenario but this time through JCVD’s point of view. This illustrates what Leone suggested about directing, and above all draws the viewers' attention to the theme of perception. Our initial understanding of JCVD during the first hour of the movie takes on a completely new meaning when seen from his perspective.

The cult of celebrity, which can create a false sense of intimacy between the star and the public, is fascinating from this point of view. The chaotic life of JCVD, his questionable values, his publicly played out married life and the unique genre in which it's presented (sometimes laughable for some people), are all delightful elements that allow this film to plot its course between comedy and drama.

With the success of his first film, he immediately began to write a new screenplay, which led to the JCVD film project. This would enable Mabrouk El Mechri to seize a fabulous opportunity to turn his childhood idol into a hero of an atypical film, meshing comedy and thriller genres, in the footsteps of American cinema from the 70's; in short, a popular and art house cinema, so unique on the French scene.