Exclusive video: Jean-Claude Van Damme mesmerizes insect

Jean-Claude Van Damme, who has much of the free world under his influence, clearly has power over the insect world, as well.

Van Damme used his mojo to befriend a stick-shaped insect on the set of his latest movie,Welcome to the Jungle

This exclusive behind-the-scenes extra from the DVD/Blu Ray release (March 25) shows how powerful the Muscles from Brussels can be using only his mind. He stares intently at the creature, which crawls happily up his leg and then his arm.

Van Damme even took his new friend with him to shoot scenes for the comedy in which he plays off-kilter Marine Storm Rothchild, who leads a group of unprepared office workers into the jungle. The cast includes Adam Brody, Megan Boone, Kristen Schaal and Rob Huebel.

The foray into comedy suits the quirky 53-year-old action star.

"I enjoy comedy because it is a both a nice change of pace from the action genre and it keeps me laughing," Van Damme wrote in an e-mail.

Jean-Claude Van Damme works for laughs as an off-the-rails Marine jungle guide in 'Welcome to the Jungle' (out on Blu-Ray/DVD March 25).  (Photo: Universal Studios)

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The action star recently starred in a career-reviving Volvo ad, which had him do a straight-faced split between two moving trucks to the heavenly sounds of Enya. The video went viral and masses of people went out to buy Volvos. He seemed to have mesmerized them much like the insect that crawled up his leg.

In his other new film, Enemies Closer (just out on DVD), Van Damme portrays another over-the-top baddie, this time with horrendously dyed hair. Serious fighting, but he's definitely earning laughs.

Van Damme admits he is not even sure which genre he prefers at this point, action or comedy.

"They are so different. It's hard to say," he writes. "But as long as there is an ass to kick, I am happy."