Former UFC double-champ Daniel Cormier has landed a major role in an upcoming TV adaptation of the ‘Warrior’ movie, which will air on Paramount+ via Lionsgate.
The original movie back in 2011 starred Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton as two estranged brothers who are set on a collision course when they get involved in a mixed martial arts tournament.
The movie was well received at the time and even saw Nick Nolte earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
And now it’s director, Gavin O’Connor is adapting the story for TV, with Cormier being cast as one of four fighters, two male and two female, who the show will follow over the course of 10 episodes until they eventually fight each other.
Cormier’s role will somewhat mirror his own life, as he’s cast as a recently retired light-heavweight and heavyweight champion who is struggling to cope with the death of his wife from cancer as a single father who is in serious debt due to medical bills.
Of course, not all of that story relates to Cormier himself, but he is a fairly recently retired double-champ and has had to endure family tragedy over the years, with his father being murdered back in 1986 and his 3-year-old daughter being killed in a car accident back in 2003.
Gina Rodriguez, who won a Golden Globe for her starring role in ‘Jane The Virgin’, will also star as one of the fighters, the daughter of a boxing referee who is married to a muay thai fighter and decides to become a fighter too.
“I came from Lafayette, Louisiana to the (bright) lights of the Octagon and now I take on Hollywood!” Cormier announced on Twitter as news of his big acting role was announced.
“I teased this a while back but now it’s a reality thanks to @paramountplus and @lionsgate! I am truly honored and excited for this next chapter in my life!”
