Speaking with a Fighting Legend
As a long time MMA enthusiast, I was honored to be able to speak with legendary UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping about his new movie Atlas King. Self financed by his new production company Punching Films (distributed by Saban Films) the film sees Bisping in his first leading role as a former fighter who fled to England after being involved with some shady people in Los Angeles. After his mentor passes, he returns to LA only to find that his godson is now indebted to the same dangerous people he thought he left behind. Not want to abandon his family, he decides to stay and help fight his way out from under the thumb of a ruthless mobster.
Bisping was extremely excited about the project, being heavily involved in all aspects and really getting to expand his foray into the big screen. Though not new to screen, Atlas King is the largest role he’s had to date and Bisping saw a lot of himself in the lead character:
As soon as I read the script I thought oh, I would LOVE to do this…for me, there’s a lot of parallels to my own life. You know, I was a fighter for a long time. I was sadly…my first managers were, they were gangsters let’s be honest! So I had a lot of experience to pull from for this character…and that’s why this role came so naturally to me.
We talked a lot about what is was like to film in Los Angeles and grittiness of the production. Bisping was really blown away by how cool everything looks with that tone and being on the streets, saying “it looks cool as hell on camera!” when talking about the production of Atlas King. We talked about his long fighting career and what it was like to bring that knowledge to onscreen fighting, pulling his punches and working with choreographers who welcomed his input:
Every time I show up, the choreographer says ok Michael, obviously we’re not trying to hurt the other person and I’m like, yes, I know! I’m well aware that this isn’t a fight! The choreographers they were great because…I want to make sure the fight scenes look realistic; I want to make sure that there’s nothing that’s like ‘that wouldn’t work in real life!’
He was given a lot of freedom on Atlas King to shape the fight sequences to make them look realistic and do right by the MMA community. And yes, he was very cautious not to be the guy that hurt Cuba Gooding Jr. I asked him about what he hopes people will take away from Atlas King:
I want them to enjoy the film. I want them to realize that I can act. Because people are gonna think oh he’s a mma guy what is he doing and I think they’re gonna be surprised if I’m honest…but I want them to see what Punching Films is capable of…I want people to see If you care enough and have enough talent and work your goddamn ass off what can be made.
We talked more in depth about the making of Atlas King, his experience on set, even one of Bisping’s favorite movies he’s watched recently. It was a great conversation and a great step forward into Bisping’s burgeoning acting career. You can check out Atlas King August 21st on VOD and Digital. You can check out the full interview below.
For more on Movies, make sure to check back to That Hollywood Show.
Reviews