Cast
Overview
Main characters
Recurring characters
TV Series (1990-2011)
TV Special (2020)
In October 2019 plans were announced to film a 22nd season consisting of 8 episodes. The future of this project was left in limbo after the death of main cast member Johny Voners in March 2020, as several cast members came forward expressing they did not like the idea of continuing the franchise without him. In July 2020, it was announced that the cast would instead reunite to film a 90-minute episode, which will be set during Christmas time and address the loss of Voners' character. The episode was released on December 25, 2020. Returning main cast members from the television series include Marijn Devalck, Danni Heylen, An Swartenbroekx, Loes Van den Heuvel, Ann Tuts, Herman Verbruggen, Ben Rottiers, Jaak Van Assche, Tuur De Weert, and Jacques Vermeire, alongside recurring cast members Machteld Timmermans, Niels Destadsbader, Rob Teuwen, and Luk D'Heu. Johny Voners and Carry Goossens appear in flashbacks scenes through archive footage, which also include brief shots of Walter Michiels, Jakob Beks and some of the former guest stars. ;Plot Six months after the death of Xavier Waterslaeghers, the remaining core of F.C. De Kampioenen holds a Christmas party at the cafe. Carmen does not feel like going, but changes her mind after receiving a letter from her late husband. Fernand and DDT are invited as well, but are too stingy to pay for food and Christmas gifts. Both men still know their tricks and cheat Marc out of money of the newly established Xavier Waterslaeghers Fund. As a gift for Doortje, Pol has invited her son Billie. It is revealed that Billie has been living in America, and why Doortje has not spoken about him for years. However, the most precious gift is that for Carmen, by a surprise question by Ronald and Niki.Theatrical movies
Failed attempts for a movie
A first attempt to create a theatrical movie was done in 1993. However, the film was cancelled as actor Carry Goossens decided to work for a competing broadcasting company ( vtm) and actor Walter Michiels was fired due to his alcohol abuse. Furthermore, Jacques Vermeire had his own film plans and his movie ''Max'' was to be shot and released in same period. A new scenario was written in 2008 but rejected by most of the actors.F.C. De Kampioenen: Kampioen zijn blijft plezant (2013)
In 2011 a complete new story was written which was accepted by the actors. Due to funding issues it took until April 2013 before filming started. The movie was released in December 2013 as "F.C. De Kampioenen: Kampioen zijn blijft plezant" which can be translated as "F.C. The Champions: being a champion remains fun". Returning main cast members from the television series include Marijn Devalck, Danni Heylen, An Swartenbroekx, Johny Voners, Loes Van den Heuvel, Ann Tuts, Herman Verbruggen, Ben Rottiers, Jaak Van Assche, and Tuur De Weert, alongside recurring cast members Machteld Timmermans, Niels Destadsbader, Lea Couzin, Fred Van Kuyk, Leah Thys, and Michel De Warzee. ;Plot Boma wants to buy aF.C. De Kampioenen 2: Jubilee general (2015)
In August 2014, there were rumors of a second movie which were confirmed in October 2014. It was released on October 28, 2015. Returning main cast members from the television series include Marijn Devalck, Danni Heylen, An Swartenbroekx, Johny Voners, Loes Van den Heuvel, Ann Tuts, Herman Verbruggen, Ben Rottiers, Jaak Van Assche, Tuur De Weert, Jacques Vermeire, and Carry Goossens, alongside recurring cast members Machteld Timmermans, Niels Destadsbader, and Luk D'Heu. ;Plot F.C. De Kampioenen prepares a big celebration party for their 25th anniversary. Carmen, Doortje, Pascale and Bieke reunite with their band The Championettes. Marc and Xavier travel to Thailand and can convince Oscar to leave Hare Krishna and to return to Belgium. Oscar his old habits come back: he wants to be the trainer once again, the bickers between him and Pascale restart,... This all gets at it top when it is revealed Goedele and Oscar had a one-night stand on 31 December 1993 and Ronaldhino was conceived that night, meaning Oscar is the biological father of the boy and not the famous soccer player Ronaldhino as the young man always thought. Meanwhile, their main antagonist DDT is released from prison. He wins from Boma in a game of poker and becomes owner of last one's Cadillac, the soccer canteen and the soccer field. Boma consults his lawyers and they confirm due to the fact he signed a paper in which he hands over these properties and with witnesses, DDT is now indeed the legal owner. Boma and Fernand set up a trap so DDT ends up in a container on a boat heading to Africa, not knowing Doortje is also in the trap by accident. DDT and Doortje manage to return to Belgium. He wants revenge and hires some bulldozers to demolish the pub next to the soccer field so he can build his new garage, not knowing the current building is classified and must remain as is.F.C. De Kampioenen 3: Forever (2017)
In January 2016, it was confirmed that a third movie would be made. Filming started in the summer of 2017, and the movie was released in December 2017. Returning main cast members from the television series include Marijn Devalck, Danni Heylen, An Swartenbroekx, Johny Voners, Loes Van den Heuvel, Ann Tuts, Herman Verbruggen, Ben Rottiers, Jaak Van Assche, Tuur De Weert, Jacques Vermeire, and Carry Goossens, alongside recurring cast members Machteld Timmermans, Niels Destadsbader, and Luk D'Heu. ;Plot Balthasar Boma is arrested for severe food safety offences. DDT offers Boma to buy F.C. De Kampioenen, which would enable the latter to bond out of jail. Boma accepts the deal, but soon regrets it when DDT replaces all current players by younger and better ones. DDT eventually agrees on offering the old Kampioenen a chance: one match against DDT's team, after which the winner gets to keep the club. The old Kampioenen realize they stand no chance, unless they attract new players as well. Pol remembers having seen a lot of potential soccer talents back when he was working in Africa, and convinces his friends to join him on a scouting trip.F.C. De Kampioenen 4: Viva Boma (2019)
The fourth movie was filmed early 2019 and released in December 2019. Returning main cast members from the television series include Marijn Devalck, Danni Heylen, An Swartenbroekx, Johny Voners, Loes Van den Heuvel, Ann Tuts, Herman Verbruggen, Ben Rottiers, Jaak Van Assche, Tuur De Weert, Jacques Vermeire, Carry Goossens, and Jakob Beks, alongside recurring cast members Machteld Timmermans, Niels Destadsbader, and Luk D'Heu. ;Plot F.C. De Kampioenen mourns the loss of their chairman Balthasar Boma, who was reportedly killed by a bunch of wild kangaroos while on holiday in Australia. Ronald becomes his successor at the meat factory, but does not seem to be fit for the job. His focus soon shifts to his new love interest Niki, who turns out to be the daughter of Dimitri De Tremmerie. DDT sees a new opportunity to lay his hands on Boma's company and take revenge on De Kampioenen. The latter meanwhile plan to join a carnival procession in which they will honor Boma and his final brainchild: the "Viva Boma" sausage. After receiving a surprising phone call, Doortje tries to convince everyone that Boma is still alive.Comics adaptations
Since 1997 ''F.C. De Kampioenen'' has been adapted into an equally long-running and successful comics series, '' F.C. De Kampioenen'', drawn by Hec Leemans.Trivia
*''FC De Kampioenen'' was once the longest-running Belgian sitcom in number of seasons (21) and episodes (273). It was however beaten by De Kotmadam of which season 24 is currently in production and 333 episodes have already aired. In terms ofReferences
External links