Retired UFC legend Michael “The Count” Bisping will transition from fighter to actor. The former middleweight champion has been cast to play down and out boxer Kenney “The Beast” Breen in “The Journeyman”. Based on the book by Mark Turley, the story covers luckless fighters who lose for a living.
Thanks Junkie https://t.co/gVvC6DcTtG
— michael (@bisping) November 10, 2020
Breen amassed an 11-85 record during his boxing career. Past his prime with no signs of improvement, he turned to drugs and alcohol and even suffered from neurological damage. This didn’t stop him from resuming his passion. Risking his health and his life, Breen kept piling up losses and destroying his body. Directing the film will be Dax Phelan, who co-wrote the screenplay with Turley. Bisping has further input in the film as he will executive produce alongside Turley. Real-life journeyman boxer Johnny Greaves, who claims an underachieving 4-96 record, will be serving as the film’s technical advisor.
“For obvious reasons, Mike brings an authenticity and an X-factor to the role that no other actor ever could,” Phelan told Deadline.com. “His contributions to the script have been insightful and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to explore this character with him.”
Prior to his retirement in 2018, Bisping began acting, chalking up television and film credits in productions such as “Warrior,” “Twin Peaks: The Return,” “MacGyver,” and “Magnum P.I.” On the film side, the UFC Hall of Famer has appeared in movies including “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” and “Den of Thieves.” Bisping currently serves as an analyst for numerous UFC events. As for a shooting timetable, it hasn’t been set, but it will take place in England as expected.
