Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
It is fair to say that the line between sports and films is often blurred in Tinseltown. While athletes dabble in acting, actors often try their hand at sports. As an illustration, consider Conor McGregor, the Irish mixed martial arts fighter who just made his acting debut in the latest flick,Road House, helmed by Doug Liman (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Edge of Tomorrow).
His performance received high praise from moviegoers and critics alike, with some even suggesting he could be the next “Arnold Schwarzenegger”.Regardless, he may have stolen the show in the Jake Gyllenhaal starrer film, but he is far from ready to dethrone Dave Bautista.Not to be overlooked is the fact that the latter has an equally impressive acting resumé.
Bautista has proven to be a versatile and talented actor, appearing in films such asBlade Runner 2049andSpectre.
Critics Rave About Conor McGregor’s Stellar Role inRoad House
With his acting debut,Conor McGregoris making quite the stir. Knox, playedby The Notorious, is a hired goon who faces off againstJake Gyllenhaal’s character. McGregor, known for his flamboyant demeanor and sharp tongue, is receiving more than just handsome compensation for his role in the remake of the 1989 classicRoad House.
“You are an actor not a fighter”: Jake Gyllenhaal Gets Trolled For Thinking He Could Have Beaten Conor McGregor in an Arm Wrestling Match
The UFC star has received high marks for his first acting role from critics, and some have even suggested that he might be the next Arnold Schwarzenegger. According to Christian Zilko, a film critic forIndie Wire:
“McGregor steals every scene he is in. It’s unclear how much of what he does is actually acting…But his first acting role could establish him as his generation’s Arnold Schwarzenegger.”
According toIGN, McGregor’s performance was “so deranged that he trades in his Ferrari for a driving-school car just because he feels like it, then stops the vehicle by ramming into a tree just for the hell of it”.
Having received a 66% audience score and a 61%Rotten Tomatoesrating as of the time of writing,Road Houseseems to be attracting interest among viewers. Even with the positive feedback, McGregor acknowledged that he was anxious for his family, particularly his kids, to see his performance. He revealed (viaDaily Mail):
“Obviously, they can’t watch and never will, to be honest! They’re going to have another cinema room boxed off and they’ll get one of the kids movies on. I’m excited.”
“That confidence kind of falls to the ground”: Jake Gyllenhaal Addresses Fighting Conor McGregor in Road House Remake After Going Through Hell in Training
Notwithstanding McGregor’s remarkableperformance inRoad House,it is also important not to forget that he is still relatively new to the acting profession. With just a few performances to his name in the acting world, he still needs to prove himself as a versatile actor who can tackle a variety of roles.
The Dominance of Dave Bautista in the Film Industry
Dave Bautista’s acting chops have been nothing short of impressive. From his early days as a professional wrestler to his move to Hollywood, he has proven that he is a force to be reckoned with on the big screen. Another point for the former professional wrestler was his transition into mixed martial arts (MMA). Bautista is now 1-0 in his career after competing against Vince Lucero in the heavyweight division in October 2012.
Among his most prominent roles was playing Drax the Destroyer in theGuardians of the Galaxyfilm series within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.Bautista masterfully brought the tragically complex character of Drax to life, striking the perfect balance between wit, passion, and vulnerability.
Apart from his roles in Marvel movies, the Washington-born actor has also proven his versatility as an actor across multiple genres. His physicality and charisma were on full display when he starred in films likeSpectre, Blade Runner 2049, Dune,andKnock at the Cabin.
The fact that Bautista has a long list of projects conceals the fact that it would have been simple for him to focus on a series of brainless but successful action flicks. Instead, he has spent the last several years building the most unique and creative filmography of any former WWE star, working with a stellar cast of acclaimed directors that includes James Gunn, Sam Mendes, Denis Villeneuve, and Rian Johnson.
The 55-year-oldDune 2starstated it clearly (viaGQ):
“I never wanted to be the next Rock. I just want to be a good fucking actor. A respected actor.”
You can literally watch Bautista grow as an actor through all of his films. He is becoming more and more in tune with his characters, refining his rhythms, and using his subtleties. He shared, referring to acting:
“I’m obsessed with it. It’s this puzzle that I can’t figure out. You don’t know if it’s right, but sometimes it feels right. I don’t get those moments a lot, but every once in a while I do. And f*ck, to me, there’s nothing like it. It’s a natural high. It’s an addiction.”
He recently appeared as Glossu Rabban in Villeneuve’sDune: Part 2, which went on to become the top-grossing film of this year. Next up for him are Peter Segal’sMy Spy: The Eternaland J. J. Perry’sThe Killer’s Game.
“Maybe one of the nice leading ladies in the industry…”: Conor McGregor Addresses His Beef With Sydney Sweeney During Road House Promotion That Takes a Strange Turn
As Bautista keeps stepping up and taking on new and challenging roles, there is every reason to believe that his profile will continue to rise in Hollywood.
StreamRoad Houseon Amazon Prime Video.
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
