Van Damme, famous for his iconic roles in classics like Bloodsport and Kickboxer, will star as a former world champion fighter whose past catches up to him when his daughter is abducted by the Yakuza in Japan. This forces him to re-enter the brutal world of combat in a desperate bid to save her.

Filmmaker Jeremy Zag, a lifelong karate enthusiast, expressed his excitement, stating, "Jean-Claude Van Damme made me want to walk into a dojo." He envisions Katana as a potent blend of action and emotion, aiming to combine "the power of Bloodsport, the urgency of Taken and the energy of John Wick in a deeply human story." Zag will not only direct but also penned the screenplay for the film, a passion project he has been developing with Van Damme for several years. Their prior collaboration on the project What's My Name? appears to have evolved into Katana.

The film promises authentic martial arts sequences, with a cast featuring real-life champions such as Armenian MMA fighter Melsik Baghdasaryan and French Muay Thai and kickboxing world champion Cyril Benzaquen. Zag emphasized his dedication to capturing the essence of martial arts cinema, stating, "Together, we want to make one last great martial arts film: a celebration of everything we love about this cinema, and a tribute to an icon who inspired us all."

Production for Katana is a collaboration between Division Z and Japan-based Wowow Bridge, known for its support of international productions like HBO Max's Tokyo Vice. Principal photography is slated to begin in April 2027, with filming locations spanning Japan, France, and Los Angeles. While The Veterans handles international sales, CAA Media Finance is managing the U.S. distribution rights for what promises to be a significant comeback for the action star in a genre he helped define.