Martial artists making the transition into movies is certainly nothing new. Bruce Lee blazed – and flying kicked – that trail a long time ago. And the latest real life ass kicker that seems to be making that jump is undefeated UFC Womens Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. The Olympic medal winning judoka has torn through all her competition in the ring, barely breaking a sweat in the process, and in so doing has garnered the attention of the world, and most importantly, Hollywood. The fact that she cleans up real nice in the looks department probably doesn’t hurt either.
She’s already had minor cameo roles in Furious 7 and Entourage, with a larger supporting role as one of Sylvester Stallone’s new recruits in The Expendables 3. The latter was undoubtedly her best showing, and while Rousey has certainly not won anybody over with her thespian skills yet, there’s no denying her action heroine chops. As such she’s landed a few deals to headline a few movies, with the latest being her leading a remake of the 1989 Patrick Swayze action movie classic Road House.
The movie, which was recently revealed will be written and directed by Nick Cassavetes (The Notebook, John Q, Alpha Dog), will see Rousey in a gender-swapped version of Swayze’s big city bouncer who gets caught up in some small town politics. With Road House being such a cult favourite film, lots of fans are a bit skeptical about Rousey taking on the late Swayze’s role, even if she actually first asked permission from the actor’s widow before doing it. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight (via IGN), Rousey revealed that she also has that reverence for the original, which is why she may be a good choice for it.
“I was pursuing Road House for like, two years. I really don’t think that any other man could be [Patrick Swayze]. I think it’s a wise angle to take to kind of do a little gender flip of the role.”
Rousey has a point in that she can make the role her own much more than any male star coming in. I just want to know if she’ll still be declaring that “Pain don’t hurt” as she gets stapled up. She certainly looks badass enough to pull it off.
Other than Road House, Rousey has also seen her name attached to the title role of Marvel’s Captain Marvel. Not in any official capacity though, but rather through a fan campaign composed of all kinds of artwork that has been used to petition the comic book movie studio to give her the role. And it’s a campaign that hasn’t gone unnoticed by Marvel, with Studio President Kevin Feige declaring to IGN that “I love it… It’s a testament to how great the characters are that it appeals to such a wide range of talented, talented people.”
But if Rousey really does want the role, then just some photoshopped images isn’t going to cut it. And she realizes this, saying that she hopes her upcoming leading role in the Peter Berg directed Mile 22, in which she co-stars with Mark Wahlberg and Iko Uwais, will show the Powers That Be what she’s capable of.
“I’m really looking forward to doing my first starring role opposite Mark Wahlberg. Hopefully by the time Captain Marvel comes around, I will have enough skills and experience in the field for them to seriously consider me.”
When it comes to action skills, I think it’s hard to deny that Rousey isn’t already ready, but while her level of acting itself is certainly fine for something like The Expendables or Fast & Furious, leading a Marvel tentpole – especially one as important as the female-led solo movie for the studio – is a whole other ball game. Captain Marvel is now set for release on March 8, 2019 – it was pushed back from October 2018 due to the inclusion of Ant-Man and the Wasp on Marvel’s schedule – so that gives Rousey about two years or so before the casting begins in earnest (unless the character gets introduced in another film sooner) to brush up on her acting. Certainly not an impossible feat, and if there’s anybody that will have the desire and discipline to do it, it will be a lady that breaks people for a living.
You can watch the full interview in the video below.
Last Updated: October 15, 2015
