Dolph Lundgren and Jean-Claude Van Damme, two prominent action stars of the 1990s, participated in a staged feud during the early years of that decade.
Although it appeared that tensions were high between them, the incident was nothing more than an elaborate act, involving verbal exchanges and minor shoving.
While not reaching the same level of fame as Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lundgren and Van Damme were widely recognized for their roles in numerous popular action films throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
One notable collaboration was the science fiction movie “Universal Soldier” in 1992, where Van Damme played the hero and Lundgren portrayed the villain.
The duo later reunited for “Universal Soldier: Regeneration” in 2009 and joined forces once again for “Black Water” in 2018.
Despite their successful collaborations, there was a period in the early 1990s when rumors circulated about a strained relationship between the two actors.
This speculation arose from an incident at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival, where Lundgren and Van Damme were observed engaging in a physical altercation.
The heated argument, witnessed by the public and captured on camera, involved their respective bodyguards intervening to prevent further escalation.
However, according to both Van Damme and Lundgren, this confrontation was nothing more than a publicity stunt devised by Van Damme.
Van Damme revealed that he was inspired by the attention garnered by Stallone and Schwarzenegger's dancing at the previous year's festival.
Eager to generate similar media buzz, he contacted Lundgren while they were in Cannes for the premiere of “Universal Soldier.”
Van Damme proposed the idea of feigning friction between them on the red carpet, believing it would draw attention to their upcoming film, which had recently finished shooting.
Lundgren agreed, and the two began their staged altercation on the steps of the Festival Hall.
As intended, the “fight” immediately captured headlines and brought additional publicity to “Universal Soldier.”
The fabricated feud sparked false rumors of a bitter rivalry between the actors, leading reporters and TV personalities to inquire about the circumstances surrounding their clash at the Cannes Film Festival.
Over time, Lundgren and Van Damme have openly discussed the true nature of the incident, often sharing the story behind their publicity stunt during interviews, where it has become a lighthearted topic for both actors.
