Key Takeaways:
* Conor McGregor confirmed early industry interest in casting him in movies including the recently released Road House.
* The MMA champion turned first-time actor shared the screen with Jake Gyllenhaal in the Amazon Prime exclusive.
* McGregor also revealed having made potentially powerful enemies in Hollywood due to turning down movie offers in his earlier career.
* McGregor planned a return to the ring, fighting against Michael Chandler, before the Road House remake release date.
Conor McGregor’s Hollywood Debut
Often regarded as one of the biggest names in MMA history, Conor McGregor recently transitioned into the glamorous world of acting. He followed the trend set by other UFC champs like Dwayne Johnson and John Cena, who have both made successful Hollywood inroads. McGregor’s debut role is in the new remake of Road House, the much-awaited revision of the acclaimed 1989 film.
Earliest Studio Courting Efforts
During a recent interview with Men’s Journal, McGregor revealed that long before Road House, there were several attempts by studios to get him on board. “I’ve had people trying to get me into the movie business for a long time now. But there’s never been one that was a true fit,” he confessed.
The MMA legend has maintained a focus on fighting over acting, up until the prospect of featuring in Road House came about. The fact that the film had a fighting theme was a significant attraction for McGregor, as well as the opportunity to pair up with Jake Gyllenhaal, a personal favorite of his.
Road House Storyline and McGregor’s Role
The Road House remake sees McGregor’s acting introduction, starring alongside Hollywood heavyweight Jake Gyllenhaal. The film is a reboot of the late 80s classic, and it is exclusively available on Amazon Prime Video.
The plot revolves around Elwood Dalton (played by Gyllenhaal), a former UFC champion turned bouncer at a roadhouse in Florida’s idyllic Keys region. However, this serene setting isn’t as tranquil as it seems. McGregor plays the arch-rival of Dalton, a character named Knox.
Possible Hollywood Enemies
The Irish fighter, known for his high-octane antics both in and out of the ring, had turned down a series of film roles in the past. He candidly admitted to Total Film that his past rejections could have cost him some powerful industry relationships.
McGregor claims he left some high-profile figures in the lurch by hinting at potential acting commitments before eventually bowing out. “I’ve had directors come to my fight camps…really top-tier movie persons. They’d come over and over, and I always turned them down. I probably have a few enemies out there that I don’t know of because I had said, ‘I might do it’.”
McGregor’s Future Career Path
Prior to starring in Road House, Conor McGregor had intended to make a much-awaited return to the fight game, participating in a series of bouts. His long-anticipated comeback could see him up against lightweight contender Michael Chandler, a fight scheduled since February 2023. However, after almost three years on hiatus, fans are still waiting to see if this match-up will finally take place in 2023. McGregor hasn’t confirmed further acting gigs, leaving his fans in both the MMA and film landscapes eagerly watching his next move.
