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 as Blade Runner 2049 and Spectre.
Critics Rave About Conor McGregor’s Stellar Role in Road House
With his acting debut, Conor McGregor is making quite the stir. Knox, played by The Notorious, is a hired goon who faces off against Jake 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 classic Road House.
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 for Indie 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 to IGN, 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 Tomatoes rating as of the time of writing, Road House seems 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 (via Daily 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.”
Notwithstanding McGregor’s remarkable performance in Road 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 the Guardians of the Galaxy film 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 like Spectre, Blade Runner 2049, Dune, and Knock 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-old Dune 2 star stated it clearly (via GQ):
“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’s Dune: Part 2, which went on to become the top-grossing film of this year. Next up for him are Peter Segal’s My Spy: The Eternal and J. J. Perry’s The Killer’s Game.
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.
Stream Road House on Amazon Prime Video.
