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Irony: Dolph Lundgren Tries for Command Performance

by Kevin Powers
March 28, 2008
Source: Hollywood Reporter

Well this is some strange news. Consider these variables: 1) popular '80s badass Dolph Lundgren is starring in and directing a film called Command Performance; 2) the "actor/director" - I use those quotes purposefully - describes the film as "Die Hard at a rock concert"; and 3) he "got the idea from Madonna." What? Are you as perplexed as I am?

The mere fact that Lundgren is making headlines is a big enough of conundrum for me. The last time I saw the 6'4" Swede was back in the '90s with Johnny Mnemonic and Universal Soldier. For the latter, careers for both Lundgren and co-star Jean-Claude Van Damme seemed to dwindle in parallel. I guess audiences at the time were just over the whole martial artist-turned-action hero.

However, Lundgren hasn't retired. Over the last decade he's definitely churned out a plethora of mediocrity. Speaking on his recent work, Lundgren told Hollywood Reporter, "While the quality has been up and down, I think things are going a little better now that I am directing." Has it really? I guess we'll see. He's just wrapped another acting-directing gig for Sony, Missionary Man. The plot is actually a big laugh and something I'd expect to see on TNT - "When Ryder, a mysterious stranger with a score to settle, rolls into a small town unannounced, life forever changes for its citizens caught under the oppressive thumb of a local tyrant. Armed with his Bible, his motorcycle and his thirst for revenge. Ryder faces down the evil dictator in true vigilante style, proving that justice still packs a punch."

Command Performance doesn't sound much better. Lundgren stars "as a drummer for an opening act for a major American rock band that is performing in Moscow for the Russian premier, when baddies break up the gig and the drummer, an ex-Marine, springs into action." Getting the idea from a performance Madonna held for Russian President Validmir Putin, Lundgren also helped write the script.

Does this sound interesting to anyone?

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