Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning Trailer

The Universal Soldier series has had a strange history since the release the immensely fun Jean-Claude Van Damme/ Dolph Lundgren starring action vehicle way back in 1992. It took 6 years for the story of a secret government reanimating dead soldiers for use as the ultimate weapon to get a sequel, in the form of two direct to video movies (intended as the jumping off point for a planned T.V. show), Brothers In Arms and Unfinished Business, bringing in an entirely new cast, and, unsurprisingly, not being very good. Then another sequel appeared in 1999, Universal Soldier: The Return, bringing back Van Damme and completely ignoring the previous sequels. Again, it wasn't very good. That seemed to be the nail in the coffin for the franchise, but 10 years later, out came Universal Soldier: Regeneration. An intense, low budget paring back of the concept, it reunited Van Damme and Lundgren, reprising their roles from the original, completely ignoring the sequels, and charging the story forward in a completely new direction. Seemingly taking it's cue from The Expendables, it was a fantastic old school action flick, and has rightfully acquired something of a cult following.

Now Regeneration's director John Hyams (son of Timecop and Capricorn One helmer Peter Hyams) brings us the continuation of this new direction with Day Of Reckoning. Scott Adkins (recently seen as Van Damme's right hand man, Hugo, in The Expendables 2) takes center stage as John, a man who vows revenge after his family is kidnapped by Luc Devereaux (Van Damme). 

I am loving this resurgence of 80's style action in the last few years, and judging by how fun this trailer looks (even with the horrfically cheesy and out of place trailer voice), long may it continue.

It will see a limited release in American cinemas near the end of the year. No word on a big screen release on this side of the pond as of yet. 

Released: November 30th 2012 (U.S.)/ ? (U.K./IRL)