FROM SPLASH PAGE: No matter how many times Marvel's Punisher films start over from scratch, Dolph Lundgren will always be the first-live action Frank Castle.

The iconic action star wrote, directed and headlined in his latest direct-to-DVD film "Command Performance" and returns to the big screen in 2010 for Sylvester Stallone's "The Expendables." As far as upcoming comic book films go, however, "Conan" is the only one that has his attention right now, and he said he hasn't been keeping up with the skull-shirted vigilante he first portrayed in 1989.

"No, I haven't seen any of [the new 'Punisher' movies]," Lundgren told MTV News. The Swedish-born actor has kept a tight schedule since he began directing his own movies like "The Mechanik" and "Diamond Dogs," so it's understandable that he might not be able to find the time.

Continue reading Original 'Punisher' Actor Dolph Lundgren Says He Hasn't Seen Recent Films

FROM SPLASH PAGE: A casting call may be out for the lead role in "Conan," since former franchise star Arnold Schwarzenegger is busy governing the State of California. Whether director Marcus Nispel agrees with Brett Ratner's perspective that the film's title character should be played by "an unknown" remains to be seen, but an established action movie legend and former face of the "Punisher" could make an appearance.

"I've talked to the producers about doing something for 'Conan,'" actor Dolph Lundgren told MTV News while promoting his direct-to-DVD film "Command Performance," which he co-wrote, directed and starred in.

Continue reading EXCLUSIVE: Dolph Lundgren Talking To 'Conan' Producers About Potential Role

Dolph Lundgren may have been inspired to write his new direct-to-DVD film, "Command Performace," by events in Moscow, but he had to move the production down to Bulgaria, given its modern terrorism subject matter. The veteran action hero, who directed, stars and co-wrote (with Steve Latshaw) the movie, couldn't find a way to film it all in Russia, but he still wants to release it in the country where it all began.

"I got the idea from a concert that Madonna gave for [former] Russian President Vladimir Putin," Lundgren told MTV News. Like the pop star in "Command Performance," Madonna gave an exclusive concert in 2006 for Putin and his daughters. Read more...

Reading the crew list, it feels like you’re strolling down the “action-adventure” aisle at Blockbuster: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Steve Austin and on and on. But on the set of the currently-filming flick “The Expendables,” nobody is as pumped-up as Terry Crews.

“It is the first time you have all these stars in one flick,” Crews told us recently, just before leaving for Brazil to shoot the film. “There is going to be a cameo by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dolph Lungren is coming back. Stallone is directing it, writing it. It is awesome, man. I am just privileged and honored to be a part of it, and I am telling you it is going to be great.” Read more...

The cabbie who drove me to the hotel kept making fun of Ashton Kutcher. My room at Planet Hollywood is themed around Dolph Lundgren’s 1987 clunker “Masters of the Universe.” This afternoon, I browsed concession booths pitching Dipping Dots, White Castle Jalapeno Cheeseburgers, and more variations on nachos and popcorn than I thought humanly possible.

I might be in Nevada, but it sure feels like I’m still in LA.

Welcome to ShoWest, the annual convention in Las Vegas where theater owners, studios and journalists come to meet up and talk about all the big films of the next few months. I’ve already taken some pictures of all the various posters, from the best (“Terminator Salvation” has a really badass standee) to the worst (Nia Vardalos in a quasi-sequel to “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” a half-decade too late?) to the uneventful (the “New Moon” poster is so plain that I found it over in a corner of the hallway, leaning against the wall virtually unnoticed). Read more...

He’s fought Rocky, starred alongside Jean Claude Van Damme, and battled foes as the Master of the Universe. Now action icon Dolph Lundgren is about to go toe to toe with his greatest co-star ever: Britney Spears. Well, sort of.

It might surprise you to know that the man formerly known as Ivan Drago has moved from starring in movies, to writing and directing them as well. His third such romp as triple threat is called “Command Performance,” which centers on an ex-biker turned hard case tough guy drummer, who has to rescue the Russian President after terrorists take over an arena where he’s watching a concert. (I swear to God that’s the plot, by the way). Read more...

Last week Jean-Claude Van Damme told MTV News that the long-rumored “Universal Soldier 3” was absolutely going to happen very soon, albeit without the services of one Mr. Dolph Lundgren, of whom the producers reportedly said there was “no more value” to be had in casting.

“Absolutely untrue,” Lundgren insisted, clearing the air with a surprise call to MTV News HQ. “I’ve met with the producers many times, and I AM the one resisting. I want it to be a good picture, and I’m working with the producers on the materials and trying to work it out. The truth is it’s still a script and I think it needs some work.”

One of the main sticking points, Lundgren said, was the size of the roles offered to both of the main actors from the original 1992 film which, according to JCVD, amounted to about “10 days of work.” Basically glorified cameos, Lundgren said. Read more...

I report the following with a mixture of sadness and pleasure. After years of rumors and suspect IMDB updates, Jean-Claude Van Damme, hot off an honest to goodness fine piece of acting in "JCVD" (check it out if you want to watch the "Bloodsport" star cry and I mean a lot) just told me he's in for the third "Universal Soldier" movie. Er, or is that DVD?

"I don’t know if they want to make it a video release or theatrical," he said. Actually there are a lot of question marks, like is he really starring in the film or is this a glorified cameo? "I'm just going to do 10 days." Hmm, so what about Dolph Lundgren? He's back, right?!? "I told them, guys bring in Dolph! They said there’s no more value [to cast him]. I said, 'it will have value with me!'"

So much for that reunion. But there will be a familiar Van Damme collaborator joining the franchise on this go round. As has been rumored in the past "Timecop" director Peter Hyams will serve as director of photography for the film. In fact, that confirmation just happened. "Peter Hyams just yesterday called me to say he’s going to DP my film," Van Damme said excitedly. Read more...