I don't really think Van Damme has done better than Seagal at all. EXPENDABLES 2 did nothing for his career (and he already made JCVD before EX2) UNISOL 3 & 4 were not made because of EX2 either (in fact I may be wrong, but I thought UNISOL 3 was made before EX2?)
Van Damme's biggest problem is that he keeps trying to repeat the 'tourtured soul' party piece from JCVD, that all his subsequent movies have been deathly dull. Lundgren has done better....but only because he was never that big in his heyday.
Citing a car commercial as one of Van Dammes crowning achievements, shows how forgiving we all are as DTV fans.
Seagal, for all his faults and bad judgements hasn't had to go 'retro' to appease audiences (like the EXPENDABLES franchise did) largely because he never changed his formula from day one. Seagal could easily be back on the big screen, if he just put in the effort....and this is his biggest problem....himself....as unfortunately, he doesn't seem to want to.
This point neatly brings me to the idea of a 'ABOVE THE LAW' sequel......He can't go pissing on his classics with the same lack on enthusiasm that infests his recent pictures. Looking back at ABOVE THE LAW, regardless of it's box-office takings compared to UNDER SIEGE.....this is the movie that started his career, made his name and wowed audiences. Without ATL, they would be no US. In ATL he had passion, expression, fluidity and character....he was actually considered a good actor, and got rave reviews for not just his Aikido, either. He seemed to have that 'method' swagger to his performance. The plot to ATL was daring, it cited real life events, and poured scrutiny at not only America, but also the C.I.A.
Over the years (and movies) he lost this passion, or at very least honed these performances down to a minimalist expression of growls, sneers and arm snaps.....in short he gave the fans 'greatest hits' from previous movies, as opposed to something new and fresh. He still has the look and the pressence....but uses them as a substitute for the passion he once exhibited in ATL.
Unless he got into better shape, lightened up his demeanour and raised his voice above a whisper....it'd be pretty unbelievable to imagine that a stealthy, oppinionated, passionate Chicago cop like Nico Toscani.....would now become this unrecognisable, heavier, goateed, mumbling, incoherent dude with a southern drawl....no matter how many years later it was set?
Who on earth would greenlight (let alone want to watch) a DTV sequel to THE WIZARD OF OZ.....made in Bulgaria, with lousy production values, lacklusture songs and a disinterested cast?
Seagal would have to bring his A-game to a NICO sequel....and as much as I'm a fan of his....I'm not sure he'd bring it.....and because it's been hidden for so long....I'm not sure *HE* knows how to bring it anymore?
Given that most of his early movies are considered classics (compared to his latter output, anyhow) the last thing he should do is ruin the memory of them?
I'd rather he just see out his years with more generic action movies, than attempt to revive an earlier hit, when he clearly lacks the passion to make good on his promises (unlike Stallone, who has genuine determination and respect to his former franchises) At best, I could envision this sequel being similar to DEATH WISH V, which was workmanlike, but didn't do the franchise any favours in the long run?
IMO, he should make a sequel to DRIVEN TO KILL or URBAN JUSTICE (i.e, something within his budget, limitations, comfort zone and mindset)