7 Martial Artists for Snyder’s UFC Movie!

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As a die-hard film fan, I’m thrilled about Zack Snyder’s upcoming martial arts movie, “Brawler.” With the UFC backing this project, it’s on the hunt for experienced martial artists to join its cast. Given the movie’s focus on an MMA fighter from LA who gets his shot at the big leagues by breaking into the UFC, several martial arts legends seem like a perfect fit.

Although Snyder is known for his work in fantasy, sci-fi, and superhero genres, “Brawler” represents his first genuine foray into real-world storytelling. However, don’t let that fool you – Snyder’s films are synonymous with action-packed tales, and he has a knack for crafting electrifying fight scenes.

Stepping into the Octagon with “Brawler,” fans can expect nothing less than intense and mesmerizing MMA action, seasoned with Snyder’s signature visual pyrotechnics.

Based on Snyder’s talent for creating stunning fight sequences, it’s likely that the film Brawler will aim to recruit a diverse array of actors proficient in various martial arts styles. There are several standout talents in the realm of martial arts cinema who could contribute significantly to Zack Snyder’s Brawler. Regardless of whether they would be featured as the lead character, a villain, or a distinctive supporting role, these seven martial arts movie stars would make excellent additions to the cast.

Bren Foster

Australian martial arts expert Bren Foster has showcased both his acting talent and fighting prowess in films such as “Maximum Execution” and “Force of Conviction”, as well as TV series like “The Last Ship”, “Deep Blue Sea 3” (2020), and National Geographic’s “Fight Science”. However, Foster’s directorial debut in 2024, “Life After Fighting“, catapulted him to martial arts movie stardom with his captivating lead performance and breathtaking fight scenes. The climactic scene of “Life After Fighting” – a 40-minute battle reminiscent of “The Raid”, filmed in Foster’s own martial arts school – is one of the best action sequences ever witnessed this century. Foster’s real-life mastery of various martial arts, including Tae Kwon Do, Hwarangdo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Hapkido, Silat, and several others, makes him an ideal choice for Zack Snyder’s MMA action project, “Brawler“, more than ten times over.

Scott Adkins

In a nutshell, the collection of movies featuring Scott Adkins, such as “The Undisputed” series, “The Accident Man,” Isaac Florentine’s “Ninja” films, “Avengement,” “Triple Threat,” and “Ip Man 4: The Finale,” are renowned for their complex, breathtaking fight sequences. Adkins excels at crafting exceptional combat choreography, a skill that has also caught the attention of mainstream audiences through his villainous roles in “Doctor Strange” and the upcoming “John Wick: Chapter 4.” In Snyder’s “Brawler,” Adkins could showcase his versatility as he excels whether portraying heroes or villains, offering Snyder a variety of ways to utilize Adkins’ talents effectively. Furthermore, since Adkins previously auditioned for the role of Batman in Snyder’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” but was not cast, “Brawler” could serve as an opportunity for another collaboration between the two, bringing Scott Adkins-style action to a Zack Snyder movie.

Michael Jai White

In 1997, the world was introduced to Michael Jai White as Al Simmons in the movie Spawn. Since then, White has established himself as a dominant force in the martial arts film industry. With numerous black belts under his belt, he’s showcased his impressive martial arts skills and commanding screen presence in films like Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing, Blood and Bone, Black Dynamite, Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown, Never Back Down: No Surrender, Falcon Rising, and Triple Threat.

In addition to his success in the film industry, White is highly respected in the real-life MMA world, often training and sparring with professional champions. Given his extensive knowledge of martial arts, MMA, and filmmaking (having also directed the second and third Never Back Down movies), he would be an excellent choice for the Snyderverse version of the Octagon in Brawler.

Moreover, White’s versatility as an actor allows him to convincingly portray heroic, villainous, and mentor characters alike, making him equally suitable for any role in Brawler.

Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves, in interviews, frequently admits he didn’t start out as a professionally trained martial artist. Instead, he learned fight choreography and various martial arts styles for his numerous action-packed roles. However, the devotion to his training and the fighting skills he’s demonstrated in iconic films like The Matrix and the John Wick series are undeniable. In fact, when it comes to Hollywood A-listers who have learned martial arts for select roles, Reeves stands out among the best. As a fervent fan of martial arts movies (Reeves even directed 2013’s acclaimed Man of Tai Chi), it seems fitting that he would be an excellent addition to director Zack Snyder’s plans for the film Brawler.

Marko Zaror

Originally from Chile, Marko Zaror has steadily risen through the ranks as an action hero, starring in low-budget martial arts films like “Kiltro”, “Mirageman”, and “Redeemer” within his home country. He’s also impressed fans alongside Scott Adkins in movies such as “Undisputed 3: Redemption”, “Savage Dog”, “The Killer’s Game”, and the upcoming “Diablo”. The year 2023 marked a significant leap for Zaror into mainstream success with the simultaneous releases of the box office sensation “John Wick: Chapter 4” and the streaming hit “The Fist of the Condor”. One of Zaror’s distinctive traits is his ability to infuse elegance and acrobatics into his fight scenes, characteristics typically seen in someone much smaller. His films like “Undisputed 3” and “Redeemer”, as well as his role in the 2016 Bollywood MMA hit “Sultan”, demonstrate Zaror’s prowess. Under Snyder’s direction, Zaror would undoubtedly be a whirlwind of speed and power in “Brawler”.

Jeeja Yanin

One key aspect of Zack Snyder’s filmography is his frequent portrayal of powerful warrior women, such as Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman and Sofia Boutella’s Korra in the ‘Rebel Moon’ series. Given that women are just as prevalent in the MMA world as men, the action movie ‘Brawler’ could follow suit by featuring some female MMA fighters. Jeeja Yanin, an accomplished martial artist, might be a great fit for this role. Originally from Thailand, Yanin gained prominence with the 2008 martial arts film ‘Chocolate’, and has since appeared in various action hits like ‘Raging Phoenix’, ‘The Kick’, ‘Tom Yum Goong 2’, ‘Hard Target 2’, and ‘Triple Threat’. Yanin will also be part of the 2025 Hong Kong martial arts powerhouse ensemble ‘The Furious’. Furthermore, she showcased her MMA fighting skills and on-screen presence in a significant fight for ‘Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown’. Given her reputation as one of the most respected female martial arts movie stars, Jeeja Yanin could be a strong contender for a female fighter in Snyder’s vision for ‘Brawler’.

Henry Cavill

In a nutshell, Henry Cavill’s affinity for action-oriented roles, his exceptional skills in fight choreography, and his professional bond with Zack Snyder make the upcoming film “Brawler” an ideal opportunity for their reunion. It’s worth noting that Cavill is most famously recognized for playing Superman in Zack Snyder’s DC Extended Universe movies like “Man of Steel,” “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” and “Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” where he had to significantly build up his physique and deliver stellar performances in the superpowered fight sequences, a task he executed flawlessly. Moreover, Cavill’s off-screen action roles, such as Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s “The Witcher” and the antagonist in “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” demonstrate that he brings the same intensity to fight scenes and stunt work. Additionally, Cavill is set to star in Chad Stahelski’s upcoming reboot of the “Highlander” franchise, further showcasing his passion for action and fight choreography. In his real life, Cavill practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, demonstrating that his love for martial arts transcends movie sets. Essentially, the duo’s connection to Superman and DC may be everlasting, but they can equally transfer their power into Zack Snyder’s plans for “Brawler,” creating a compelling MMA-style movie formula.

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2025-04-13 19:13