Key Takeaways:
– UFC champion Conor McGregor was initially eyed by Vin Diesel for a role in xXx: The Return of Xander Cage.
– Following his defeat to Nate Diaz, McGregor withdrew from the project, focusing instead on his fight career.
– Vin Diesel created a custom role for McGregor, which was eventually filled by former middleweight champion Michael Bisping.
– McGregor made his cinematic debut in the recent Road House remake.
In a surprising revelation, Vin Diesel disclosed that MMA superstar Conor McGregor was initially offered a role in xXx: The Return of Xander Cage. However, an unexpected turn of events involving McGregor's MMA career ultimately led to him missing out on this Hollywood opportunity.
Conor McGregor: From Ring to Screen
Conor McGregor's journey from the MMA world to Hollywood began quite unexpectedly. The former lightweight and featherweight champion was first in line for a role in Fast & Furious, conceptualized and created specifically by Vin Diesel. Diesel, renowned for his high-octane roles, envisioned McGregor as an English-speaking fighter adding to the cinematic action. His plans, however, hit a roadblock when McGregor lost to Nate Diaz in UFC 196.
Diesel shared on a Brazilian TV show, Giro Combate, that McGregor had to withdraw from the project to focus on his fight career. “After he lost to Nate Diaz, he had to go into a dark place, he had to get his manhood back to fight the second time,” said Diesel, explaining McGregor's decision.
Role Reassignment and McGregor's Hollywood Debut
Although McGregor did bounce back to win the rematch against Diaz, the production schedule of the movie required the role to be cast promptly. The part, necessitating an English accent, was subsequently filled by Michael Bisping, a former middleweight champion.
Despite this missed opportunity, Conor McGregor did get a taste of Hollywood. Riding high on his MMA successes, he made his acting debut in the 2021 release of the Road House remake.
In a recent interview with Men's Journal, McGregor opened up about his venture into the cinematic universe. He said it wasn't a quick decision, “I've had people trying to get me on board the movie business for a long time now. But this is a fight movie. And to get to act alongside Jake Gyllenhaal was a draw.”
Onward to More Movies?
McGregor's future in Hollywood remains uncertain. For the moment, he is focused on his career in the fight business. However, his appearance in Road House indicate that he may have more than a passing interest in mixing showbusiness with sports.
In his words, “We both have tremendous respect for each other in our respective crafts. We were on to something really good.” A robust statement that suggests the fans might see McGregor in more movies down the line.
The unexpected chapter involving McGregor, Vin Diesel, Hollywood, and the dynamic world of MMA is an interesting addition to McGregor's diverse career journey. While the Fast & Furious role did not materialize for him as planned, it cemented him as a noteworthy figure both in and out of the ring.
In the end, it also continues to affirm the impact MMA has beyond the sport itself influencing other streams like cinema, demonstrating its pervasive reach in popular culture.
