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By Jon Donnis
September on LEGEND is looking like a gift for anyone who loves a bit of high-octane escapism. Fifteen channel premieres are lined up, covering everything from big, brash blockbusters to gritty thrillers. The schedule pulls together a mix of old favourites, cult hits and a few underappreciated gems, with a cast list that reads like a who's who of Hollywood action royalty.
Things kick off with Jean-Claude Van Damme in Kickboxer, a revenge tale with the kind of training montages that could only have come from the late 80s. Then it's straight into fire and fury with Reign of Fire, where Christian Bale and Matthew McConaughey take on dragons in a scorched future Britain. If you fancy something with a touch of swashbuckling flair, The Mask of Zorro makes its debut, pairing Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones under the watchful eye of Anthony Hopkins.
The month doesn't slow down. Man on a Ledge delivers a slick, high-concept thriller, while Nicolas Cage ramps up the chaos in Drive Angry, all guns, cars and supernatural revenge. Stallone returns as John Rambo in the 2008 entry of the series, directing himself in a blood-soaked rescue mission through Burma. Then there's The Bone Collector, with Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie working together to track down a meticulous serial killer.
Steven Seagal brings his brand of justice to Marked for Death, facing off against Jamaican drug lords. Jason Statham and Jet Li collide in War, a stylised mix of martial arts and crime drama. For something a little more historical, The Alamo recreates one of America's most famous last stands, while Chain Reaction sees Keanu Reeves and Rachel Weisz on the run in a conspiracy-laced tech thriller. Push offers a more fantastical edge, with psychic powers and shadowy agencies.
Weeknights get a touch of 70s glamour with the second season of Charlie's Angels. Cheryl Ladd joins the cast alongside Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith, and the cases are as over-the-top as ever. Later in the month, The Bounty Hunter pairs Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston in a screwball chase, while Jason Momoa swings the sword in Conan the Barbarian. Closing things out is the powerful We Were Soldiers, with Mel Gibson leading a true-life war story.
What makes this line-up work is the sheer variety. You've got pure popcorn entertainment rubbing shoulders with more grounded dramas. There's nostalgia in seeing some of these films back on the small screen, but also a thrill in spotting the ones you might have missed the first time around. And the names attached to these projects are enough to make any action fan grin. Denzel, Stallone, Bale, McConaughey, Reeves, Cage, Hopkins, Banderas, Momoa… it's a roll call of charisma and grit.
LEGEND has always leaned into the bigger, bolder side of cinema, but September feels like it's really doubling down. Whether you're in the mood for dragons, duels, explosions, or just a solid Friday night fight scene, the channel has something lined up. The mix of decades and styles also keeps it fresh, moving from 80s martial arts to 2000s fantasy, to sharp 90s thrillers without losing pace.
It's the kind of month that makes you want to check the listings, mark a few dates, and maybe even plan a couple of late nights. Because when a channel hands you fifteen premieres in one go, you might as well make the most of it.
TV: Sky 148 / Virgin 149 / Freeview 41 / Freesat 137
