10 Things You Didn’t Know About Avenging Force
I recently had the pleasure of watching the new Blu-ray release of the Michael Dudikoff film, Avenging Force. Avenging Force was the sequel to Invasion U.S.A. with Dudikoff taking over the role of Matt Hunter from Chuck Norris.
The Blu-ray includes commentary from Star Michael Dudikoff and Director Sam Firstenberg. It was great hearing the two of them reminisce about a really underrated 80’s action movie from the amazing Cannon Films library.
Dudikoff and Firstenberg share some great stories and provide a lot of interesting facts about the film. Which leads me to…
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Avenging Force
- The blonde haired guy at the beginning of the film being hunted in the swamp by members of Pentangle was actually the stunt coordinator for the film, BJ Davis. Davis would also portray one of the motorcycle cops and one of the mounted police in the film. He was also the stunt coordinator on another Michael Dudikoff film, American Ninja 2: The Confrontation.
- Avenging Force was filmed directly after American Ninja. Firstenberg, Dudikoff and co-star Steve James all flew from the set of American Ninja in the Philippines to New Orleans to begin working on Avenging Force. As Avenging Force was opening in theaters, the trio was in South Africa filming American Ninja 2: The Confrontation.
- The voice of Sarah Hunter, Matt Hunter’s little sister, had to be dubbed by a woman who did voice work on cartoons. The young actress who played Sarah (Allison Gereighty) had a weak voice and it was barely audible. This could be one reason it was her one and only acting gig.
- The paramedics that are on the scene tending to Larry Richards’ son after chaos erupts during the parade were actual New Orleans paramedics and not actors.
- Michael Dudikoff still has the bolo tie he wore in the movie.
- Steve James enjoyed taking off his shirt to show off his hard work and dedication in the gym.
- Debunking some trivia about the movie on IMDB, Dudikoff said the picture that his character Matt Hunter looks at that shows himself and Steve James’ character, Larry Richards, in military fatigues, is NOT a still from the movie American Ninja, but it was a picture they actually took specifically for Avenging Force during the production of the movie. (This was not as bad as the IMDB trivia that states Casper Van Dien was in Revenge of the Nerds).
- Steve James did not want his character to die in the movie. He did it since the script called for it, but he did it reluctantly.
- Director Sam Firstenberg can be seen wearing a red shirt and pointing at Matt Hunter during the Cajun party scene prior to the action packed final act of the film.
- While the movie was written by James Booth (who also played Admiral Brown in the movie), Michael Dudikoff did come up with one of his own lines. That line was “You can tell the committee to stick it where the sun don’t shine!”
The Avenging Force Blu-ray is a MUST for all Michael Dudikoff fans. Kino Lorber did a great job bringing this Cannon classic to Blu-ray. Aside from the commentary, there’s also an on-screen interview with Michael Dudikoff in the special features that I haven’t even checked out yet since I didn’t think I could handle all the Dudikoff exclusives in a single week.
And before I go, I wanted to share some bonus material too, the theme from Avenging Force composed by George S. Clinton…
Thanks for sharing this , I’ve seen this film many times !!! It’s one of my favorites .
Too bad about Alison garreighty, who played Matt Hunters little sister . Their scenes together, I thought were very good . ( in fact , my favorites )
You’re obviously very bright for enjoying Avenging Force Wendy but I have to disagree with you. My favorite part was where Dudikoff took an arrow in the leg, fell from a three story building, then healed in a matter of hours and saved the day like a boss!
Thanks for commenting, though, we appreciate you!
It’s more than just a matter of hours. It’s actually two weeks between when the house is burned down to when Hunter shows up for the hunt.
This is supposed to be a sequel to Invasion USA. It came out the next year and even shares the same name of the main character (Matt Hunter). Does anyone why Chuck Norris didn’t come back for this? I thought he was still under contract with Cannon at the time.
I think it was as simple as Chuck having no interest… of course with Cannon having multiple productions going on simultaneously it could have been a scheduling issue.
Is there a follow up to Avenging Force as it was left as a cliffhanger at the end.
Unfortunately there was not. Director Sam Firstenberg has said it did not make enough money for Cannon to justify making a follow up.
Loved the American Ninja and Avenging Force Series..
Should have been linked and Mr. Richards, should NOT have died in the house fire.
He should have been hunted by Pentangle in the swamp.. now if he did die there, that’s another thing..
His family on the other hand, are killed and the little boy and Sara are nabbed and held ransom..
This ensures both fighters show up to be HUNTED…
I agree with everybody else this was a very good movie. I love Michael Dudikoff’s movies every since I saw him an American Ninja when it came out at the movie theater. I think I’ve seen almost all his movies at least a dozen times. I don’t care what anybody says he makes good movies, I think if he wanted to he could have came out with a follow-up of avenging Force what’s a different group instead of Canon. Could he?
Can’t wait for the sequel.
I watched AVENGING FORCE again the other day , and it still holds up after all this time ! Did you know that Michael was featured in the first season of DALLAS ?? much better as the action star he is !!! I wish a sequel would have been made of A.F. , though , I can see so many ways it could have gone . I wonder how Michael and Allison got along 🤔
Looks like his appearance on Dallas was Dudi’s first acting gig according to IMDb
I’m watching this classic right now and thinking .God it’s really been 36 year’s. Saw this in the Theater with my late Dad Movie Buff he was.
He laughed he cried he cussed especially when Steve James and his wife and kids were killed
And he got up and cheered and cursed John P Ryan when he was killed
He looks at me and goes WOW let’s watch it again.
Thanks Michael dudikoff and Steve James for all the memories of sharing your adventures with my late and great hero my dad.
Thanks for sharing that story Luis… that’s the power of action movies!!