Undisputed (franchise) explained

Undisputed
Distributor:
Released:2002-present
Country:United States
Language:English
Budget:$31,000,000
(3 films)
Gross:$15,364,777
(4 films)

The Undisputed franchise consists of American martial arts sports-drama movies, based on an original concept by David Giler and Walter Hill. The plot follows a number of fighters, who are forced to compete in illegal underground competitions by various crime syndicates for the monetary benefits of the organizations.

Though the original film was met with mixed critical reception, and netted a loss for the studios at the box office, a series of sequels followed in 2007, 2010, and 2017. Despite initial muddled reaction, the franchise has earn its status as sports-cult classics,[1] [2] particularly following the introduction of Scott Adkins as the character named Yuri Boyka; with film critics calling the movies that he featured a "martial arts movie glory", and among the "best..of all-time" of the genre.[3]

The franchise is intended to continue with a fifth film, and a continuation television series in development.

Film

FilmU.S. release dateDirectorScreenwritersStory byProducers
UndisputedWalter HillDavid Giler & Walter HillDavid Giler, Walter Hill, Brad Krevoy and Andrew Sugarman
Isaac FlorentineJames Townsend & David N. WhiteBoaz DavidsonBoaz Davidson, David Varod and Danny Dimbort
David N. WhiteIsrael Ringel
Todor ChapkanovDavid White & Tony MosherBoaz DavidsonBoaz Davidson, John Thompson, Mark Gill, Les Weldon and Isaac Florentine

Undisputed (2002)

See main article: Undisputed (film).

George "Ice Man" Chambers, the reigning heavyweight boxing champion, has his world turned upside down when he is accused of rape and sent to prison. Upon commencement of his sentence, Chambers finds himself at odds with the local prison boxing champion of the last decade named Monroe "Undisputed" Hutchins. Following some heated exchanges, its determined that the two will compete in a match to determine who deserves the privilege of being the true undisputed champion.[4] [5] [6]

Undisputed II: Last Man Standing (2007)

See main article: Undisputed II: Last Man Standing.

After being released from Sweetwater Prison, George "Iceman" Chambers had returned to his boxing career and reattained his title as Heavyweight Champion of the World. Upon visiting Russian for a series of matches however, he is subsequently framed and found to be in possession of cocaine. Promptly transferred to one of their prisons, Chambers discovers that a series of martial arts matches take place in underground matches. The reigning inmate champion Yuri Boyka is a brutal and versatile fighter, who due to the variety of styles he has mastered calls himself "The Most Complete Fighter In The World". After being told by the prison crew that challenging Boyka may earn him an early release, Chambers determines to earn his freedom; and resolves that he was framed in order to for Boyka to challenge him. Initially maintaining an equal fight, Chambers is impaired by a spiked drink of water and Boyka knocks him out thereafter. Confronting the warden, Chambers demands a rematch. Upon the discovery of the fixed match, Boyka is determined to prove that he is the superior fighter. Chambers begins training in mixed martial arts, with a desire to earn his freedom and prove that he was unjustly sentenced.[7] [8] [9]

Undisputed III: Redemption (2010)

See main article: Undisputed III: Redemption.

Following the knee injury he received during his match with George "Ice Man" Chambers, Russian inmate Yuri Boyka has been removed from the underground fighting organization and reduced to custodial work within the prison. Disgraced, the fighter finds an opportunity to redeem his reputation when an upcoming international multi-prison tournament featuring the best fighters from each location is scheduled to take place. Learning that the champion will win their freedom, Boyka decides to train for the challenge despite his injuries. Planning to bring down the fighting crime syndicate in the process, the fighter determines that through these events he can once again earn his right to call himself, "The Most Complete Fighter In The World".[10] [11] [12]

Boyka: Undisputed (2017)

See main article: Boyka: Undisputed.

After Yuri Boyka known as "The Most Complete Fighter In The World", earned his freedom from his sentence at a Russian prison, he decides to use his skills and earn an income through various organized fighting matches. When one of his competitors named Viktor unintentionally is killed in the ring however, Boyka questions his life's purpose. Discovering that his widowed-wife named Alma is forced against her will in a life of servitude to a crime syndicate, Yuri finds a purpose in freeing her from her captors by once again entering a series of underground fights. While climbing the ranks within the tournament, Boyka must quickly defeat his opponents while also protecting Alma from the criminal organization that holds her captive.[13] [14] [15]

Future

In July 2022, Adkins confirmed that a fifth film was in development. While the script has been completed, the actor stated that the project has yet to be green-lit by the studio as producers haven't boarded the production.[16]

Television

In 2018, Adkins announced that a television series was in development via his social media page. In December 2019 however, the actor expressed regret for announcing the project; stating that the project is not officially green-lit, but is still in discussion. Confirming that the series is intended to continue the story from the films and center around his character Yuri Boyka, while also stating that he intends to continue reprising the role in all Undisputed installments.[17] [18]

Recurring cast and characters

CharacterFilms
UndisputedUndisputed II:
Undisputed III:
Boyka:
Monroe "Undisputed" HutchenWesley Snipescolspan="3"
George "The Iceman" ChambersVing RhamesMichael Jai Whitecolspan="2"
Yuri Boyka
Scott Adkins
Jericho "Turbo" JonesMykel Shannon Jenkins
Boris TarsovTrayan Milenov
The Ozerov BrothersTim Man &
Andy Long Nguyen
Igor KazmirBrahim Achabbakhe
KoshmarMartyn Ford
ViktorEmilien De Falco
ZourabAlon Moni Aboutboul

Additional production and crew details

FilmCrew/Detail
ComposerCinematographerEditor(s)Production
companies
Distributing
companies
Running time
UndisputedStanley ClarkeLloyd Ahern IIFreeman A. Davies
& Phil Norden
Millennium FilmsMiramax1 hr 33 mins
Undisputed II:
Last Man Standing
Stephen EdwardsRoss W. ClarksonIrit RazMillennium Films,
Nu Image Productions
New Line Home Entertainment1 hr 37 mins
Undisputed III:
Redemption
Minos Matsas Warner Bros. Home Entertainment1 hr 36 mins
Boyka:
Undisputed
Stephen EdwardsIvan VatsovUniversal Pictures Home Entertainment1 hr 30 mins

Reception

Box office and financial performance

FilmBox office grossBox office rankingWorldwide total
home video sales
Worldwide gross
total income
BudgetWorldwide net
total income/loss
North AmericaOther territoriesWorldwideAll-time
North America
All-time
worldwide
Undisputed$12,764,657$2,181,493$14,946,150
  1. 4,917
  1. 6,914
>$14,946,150$20,000,000≥-$5,053,850[19] [20]
$1,361$1,361$10,731,765$10,733,126$8,000,000$2,733,126[21] [22] [23]
$3,932$3,932
  1. 35,544
>$3,932$3,000,000≥-$2,996,068[24] [25]
$413,334$413,334$124,228>$537,562<$537,562[26] [27]
Totals$12,764,657$2,600,120$15,364,777x̄ #1,229x̄ #10,615>$10,855,993>$26,220,770>$31,000,000≥-$4,779,230

Critical and public response

FilmRotten TomatoesMetacriticCinemaScore
Undisputed49% (107 reviews)[28] 58/100 (29 reviews)[29] B[30]
Undisputed II: Last Man Standing[31]
Undisputed III: Redemption[32]
Boyka: Undisputed[33]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 10 Combat Sports Movies Which Will Make You Want To Jump In The Ring Right Away. ScoopWhoop. ... here’s a list of cult Hollywood movies based on close combat sports.... Arora, Guarav. May 25, 2023. March 23, 2024.
  2. Web site: Top 10 Scott Adkins Movie Fights. Kung-Fu Kingdom. Curran, Brad. ...it ran circles around the big-screen competition and became an immediate cult classic.. May 13, 2019. March 23, 2024.
  3. Web site: 10 Best Martial Arts Movie Franchises Of All Time. ScreenRant. Curran, Brad. September 20, 2023. March 23, 2024.
  4. Web site: FILM REVIEW; It's Prison: You Think They'll Just Talk It Over?. The New York Times. Mitchell, Elvis. August 23, 2002. December 2, 2023.
  5. Web site: Undisputed. RogerEbert.com. Ebert, Roger. August 23, 2002. December 2, 2023.
  6. Web site: Review of Undisputed. IGN. KJB. August 23, 2002. December 2, 2023.
  7. Web site: Undisputed II: Last Man Standing (2006) Review. The Action Elite. Eoin. 2006. December 2, 2023.
  8. Web site: Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing (2006). Kung-Fu Kingdom. Curran, Brad. February 6, 2014. December 2, 2023.
  9. Web site: Undisputed II: Last Man Standing (2006). World Film Geek. World Film Geek staff. June 28, 2017. December 2, 2023.
  10. Web site: Undisputed III: Redemption (2010) Review. The Action Elite. Eion. 2010. December 2, 2023.
  11. Web site: Undisputed III: Redemption. Far East Films. Skeates, Andrew. June 19, 2015. December 2, 2023.
  12. Web site: Undisputed III: Redemption (2010). Kung-Fu Kindgom. Curran, Brad. October 23, 2013. December 2, 2023.
  13. Web site: Boyka: Undisputed (2016) Review. The Action Elite. Hu, Jeffrey. 2016. December 2, 2023.
  14. Web site: Review: "BOYKA: Undisputed" Proves that Scott Adkins is the Reigning Champ of Action Cinema (Reprint). Action-Flix. Jerva, John M.. August 3, 2017. December 2, 2023.
  15. Web site: Fantastic Fest 2016 Review: BOYKA: UNDISPUTED Brings the Pain, In and Outside the Ring. Screen Anarchy. Marsh, James. September 24, 2016. December 2, 2023.
  16. Web site: Ask Me Anything (AMA) with Scott Adkins. From the Dojo an Hi-Yah!. Hi-Yah!. July 13, 2022. January 2, 2024.
  17. Web site: Scott Adkins Sheds New Light on the Proposed UNDISPUTED TV Series. Action-Flix. Jerva, John M.. January 2, 2020. December 2, 2023.
  18. Web site: Exclusive: Action Star Scott Adkins Returns and Talks 'Ip Man 4', Taking on Donnie Yen and More!. Action-Flix. Jerva, John M.. December 24, 2019. March 23, 2024.
  19. Web site: Undisputed. Box Office Mojo. IMDb. March 23, 2024.
  20. Web site: Undisputed. The Numbers. Nash Information Services LLC. March 23, 2024.
  21. Web site: Undisputed II: Last Man Standing. Box Office Mojo. IMDb. March 23, 2024.
  22. Web site: Review: Undisputed II: Last Man Standing (2007). Kung Fu Cinema. Pollard, Mark. 2007. March 23, 2024.
  23. Web site: Undisputed II: Last Man Standing. The Numbers. Nash Information Services LLC. March 23, 2024.
  24. Web site: Undisputed III: Redemption. The Numbers. Nash Information Services LLC. March 23, 2024.
  25. Web site: Undisputed III: Redemption. Box Office Mojo. IMDb. March 23, 2024.
  26. Web site: Boyka: Undisputed. The Numbers. Nash Information Services LLC. March 23, 2024.
  27. Web site: Boyka: Undisputed. Box Office Mojo. IMDb. March 23, 2024.
  28. Web site: Undisputed. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. March 23, 2024.
  29. Web site: Undisputed. Metacritic. Fandom, Inc.. March 23, 2024.
  30. Web site: CinemaScore . . March 23, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20220413083139/https://www.cinemascore.com/ . April 13, 2022 . live .
  31. Web site: Undisputed II: Last Man Standing. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. March 23, 2024.
  32. Web site: Undisputed III: Redemption. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. March 23, 2024.
  33. Web site: Boyka: Undisputed. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. March 23, 2024.