Hope everyone is doing good! Since Mr. Felsher was given permission to mention it, I thought I would update everyone on the
Kickboxer 4K situation.
As most of you probably know, I am a HUGE Kickboxer fan and own a 100% complete uncut copy on disc. The last year or so I have been driving everyone crazy in the Kino thread (sorry people!), championing for a UNCUT Kickboxer 4K with original audio. I've made no secret of how they butchered the US cut and it is unwatchable to me. The dubbing of Dennis Alexio's voice and cutting out a couple decent scenes (Kurt visiting Eric in hospital) are a couple examples of why. The uncut version is the superior film by far. Besides driving everyone insane in the Kino thread, behind the scenes, I was also emailing Lionsgate and making a passionate plea for it to happen. I reached out to basically everyone I could at Lionsgate.
In November, Lionsgate responded to me and said that due to my constant plea and request, they were going to do a Kickboxer 4K! (very proud moment for me personally. Hard work and persistence can pay off in life sometimes!). As you can imagine, I was over the moon and had a few bottles of MGD that night!
I was put in touch with the mastering department at Lionsgate, where I provided them via file transfer, my UNCUT copy of Kickboxer. Lionsgate told me that they have been searching for an uncut film print of Kickboxer, because as you know, you can't make a 4K without a film print, but so far, they had not found anything. All they had in their possession at their Burbank lab was a 1" C PAL tape dubbed in German. Due to this, I also extracted the original non dubbed audio from my uncut disc and provided the audio track to them.
Once I knew they had not been able to find any film prints so far, I literally reached out to numerous people and sources to see if I could find a uncut film print for them to use. I did have some minor success in locating a possible print, but as I do not work for LG and are basically just a passionate fan on a labour of love mission, I could only get so far. After exhausting every avenue and doing as much research as I could, I provided all possible leads to LG. Hopefully one of those leads has turned into something positive.
I do know that if a UK film print was found, you could technically make a near fully uncut version with the US version.
Lionsgate informed me that nothing is set in stone yet, but if they can't find a film print of the uncut version to do a 4K, they may just include it as a special feature in SD or HD up-conversion. This is where the uncut English audio I provided should come in handy.
A couple weeks ago, I had a 10 minute phone conversation with director Mark DiSalle, who kindly gave me his time, even though he was walking his dog! I have also been in touch with co-director David Worth. Mr. Worth said he would happily provide a audio commentary and for me to set it up as he is ready whenever. He shot alot of scenes, such as the deleted hospital scene. I also have a few other cool things that I would like to provide and have offered to make this disc special.
I have reached out to Mr. Felsher, but no response so far. I know the film like the back of my hand, so I have offered assistance should any prints turn up or any help is needed on special features. This is the one and only chance we will ever get for a uncut Kickboxer special edition. Hopefully we get plenty interviews etc.
In a nutshell; I have provided Lionsgate with a uncut copy for reference and the original English audio track from the uncut version. The good people at Lionesgate are doing everthing they can to release the uncut version on 4K, but it all comes down to finding a film print, which I have done my best to find/provide links for them and they are also doing their best looking for a uncut print. Hoping to speak to LG over the coming months, but it is a wait and see what happens situation in regards to a uncut print at the moment.
Regarding Kickboxer 2; I am also a big fan of this film, as are forum members TripleHBK and dylrichard02. As some of you are probably aware, full fight and training scenes were shot, but were cut at the last minute. This included Tong Po going through brutal training to prepare for a rematch with Kurt (you see 3 seconds of Tong Po being shamed/spat on at the start of Kickboxer 4 in a flashback). It also showed Tong Po shooting Eric in the back as he tries to get away in his wheelchair and also Tong Po shooting Mylee. Tong Po then had a full fight with Kurt which was supposed to be REALLY good. That is why you see Kurt and Tong Po both with blood on them when Tong Po shoots Kurt in the rain and then runs away in the flashback scene.
Whilst I was talking to the mastering team, I asked if they could check the vault for any cut footage from Kickboxer 2. They checked and unfortunately, they did not have any, just had the print of the film we have all seen. I did ask if we could get Kickboxer 2 and the remaining sequels on Blu Ray and it is a possibility.
In closing, with Best Buy not selling discs anymore, Lionsgate are releasing some discs through Walmart.
This is where us physical media fans need to step up and show support. There are some good people at Lionsgate that do solid work. Buying Saw X and the brilliant Young Guns disc enables Lionsgate to keep releasing more discs, such as films like Kickboxer and the sequels. Keep showing support to Lionsgate, pick up some of their discs if you have the means and hopefully we can get plenty more titles that we desire released.
A personal big thank you from myself to Lionsgate for hearing the plea of this passionate film fan, allowing me to provide a copy of the uncut version/audio and giving Kickboxer a chance on 4K. I apologise for driving you all insane! haha. Hopefully I can help out with the release in the meantime and the release turns out as good as possible.
Please keep in mind, it is still months away, things could change and nothing is set in stone. Lionsgate are doing their best and we can look forward to a final announcement when all the work is done.
Cheers!
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Kickboxer 4K UHD (1989)
It looks like Amazon will have an exclusive Steelbook. It will be a 3-Disc set, with the film on 4K and Blu-ray, as well as a bonus Blu-ray with the International Version! Extras include 2 commentary tracks (one with the director), and multiple interviews (including one with JCVD). No word on other editions yet. I'll post more details as they come in. 
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