On this day March 1 1985 Missing in Action 2: The Beginning was released in theaters. Directed by Lance Hool, the film starred Chuck Norris, Soon Tek Oh, and Steven Williams, serving as a prequel to the 1984 action hit Missing in Action.
Set during the Vietnam War, the film followed Colonel James Braddock (Norris) as he and his fellow soldiers were captured and held in a brutal prison camp. The movie depicted Braddock’s torture, resilience, and ultimate escape, showcasing high intensity action and hand to hand combat that became a signature of Chuck Norris films.
With a budget of $2.4 million, the film performed well at the box office, grossing $10.7 million. While not as successful as the first Missing in Action, it remained a favorite among 80s action fans and further cemented Norris as one of the biggest action stars of the decade.
80s insight: Although released as a sequel, Missing in Action 2 was originally filmed before the first movie. However, studio executives believed the prequel was weaker, so they released the second film first, making this one a prequel instead.