Captain America Director Wants To Hear From Fans In His Final Days
Director Albert Pyun, who directed the 1990 Captain America film, is in poor health and nearing the end of his life.
Legendary director Albert Pyun is dying, and he wants to hear messages from his fans. According to a Facebook post by his wife and collaborator Cynthia Curnan, the 69-year-old director was transported to hospice earlier this month. The director is perhaps best known for creating several Jean-Claude Van Damme films, including Cyborg and two separate Kickboxer movies. He has also directed The Sword and the Sorcerer, Nemesis, and the 1990 Captain America film that marked the first time the Marvel icon appeared on celluloid.
While Pyun’s low-budget take on Captain America, starring Matt Salinger, was derided upon its original release, reviewers gave it a more forgiving look when it was released on Blu-Ray in 2014, complete with commentary from Albert Pyun himself.
Of course, Captain America returned to the silver screen more triumphantly in 2011 in Captain America: The First Avenger. Starring Chris Evans, the modern take on Captain America became a mainstay in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with the character appearing in nine separate MCU films — most recently in Avengers: Endgame.
While Albert Pyun’s Captain America movie wasn’t successful, Cynthia Curnan states Albert Pyun remained busy until his last days, knowing that he didn’t have much time left on earth and fearing that he wouldn’t be able to finish his two upcoming films, Cyborg: Rise of the Flesh Eaters and The Kickboxer: Algiers. Since Albert Pyun was admitted into hospice care, Cynthia has regularly taken the time to read messages from fans, which she says have caused him to weep both “happy and sad tears.” Pyun reportedly said that he feels like he has left his fans down by not completing the movies.
Even in a world where B-movies and direct-to-video releases have become less prominent, Albert Pyun has been steadily creating his trademark action-heavy films. In recent years, he has released Cyborg Nemesis: The Dark Rift, Interstellar Civil War: Shadows of the Empire, and Death Heads: Brain Drain. Unlike films made by many modern B-movie directors, Pyun’s work has often been well-received, despite maintaining a low profile. For example, despite never getting a single review from mainstream critics, Pyun’s 2016 cyberpunk action film Cyborg Nemesis: The Dark Rift maintains an 8.3/10 rating on IMDB.
In later Facebook posts, Cynthia stated that she continues to read messages to Albert Pyun, who reportedly maintains his sense of humor despite facing the end of his life. He reportedly still appreciates the messages from his fans.
In the past two days, Cynthia says that Pyun has returned home from hospice care in preparation for his passing. It appears that he will spend his last days with his wife and dog. On occasion, he still has enough presence of mind to recognize and joke with his wife.
After Pyun passes, Cynthia states that his work will not go unfinished. She says that she will look for a way to finish his movies. It is her goal to help his friends, colleagues, actors, artists, and crew complete the director’s vision after his life ends.
