Conor McGregor has been keeping busy outside the Octagon and by now everybody knows what he has in store. Starring in the upcoming, highly anticipated 1989 remake of “Road House,” McGregor will be making his debut on the big screen. Despite being relatively new to the acting business, the Mac still had a lot to teach his co-stars as well.
Previously, it was revealed that ‘The Notorious One’ would be playing the role of the villainous Knox in the movie. Going toe to toe against Jake Gyllenhaal’s Eldwood Dalton in the film, McGregor’s character is rumored to be the main antagonist. Further, the first trailer of the movie, which features some of Conor’s best work, also received rave reviews from movie buffs and MMA fans alike.
In addition to this, McGregor also revealed that he is set to be the ‘highest-paid first-time actor of all time’, pipping Dwayne Johnson for the spot. As such, he has been very devoted and engaged in promoting the movie and is very keen for the fans to watch it.
Jake Gyllenhaal reveals how Conor McGregor taught him to fight
Despite being the one making his Hollywood debut, Conor McGregor had a very important role to play. As it turns out, his work in the movie went beyond just what we will see from his character. According to the cast and other actors in the movie, the Irishman was also an immense presence and help when it came to choreographing the action sequences in the movie.
In a recent interview with JOE, Jake Gyllenhaal and Daniela Melchior revealed Conor’s influence behind the scenes. According to Gyllenhaal, McGregor was key in the hand-to-hand action sequences.
“For me, when we were doing the fight sequences, we’d go back, we’d look at the monitor and then he’d be giving me directions, ideas, and new things on how to move my body, where I was throwing my punches. When we were grappling, he was instructing me through actually a lot of that even while we’re filming”.
Further, the actor added, “In that last fight, when I have him in that headlock, and sort of choking him out, and then he was saying to me as I was, he instructed me how to do it. It was just a strange irony and he was coaching the whole time”.
Thus, it is clear to see that Conor’s work in the movie went above and beyond simply playing a character. Having coached ‘The Ultimate Fighter 31’ last year, it seems that his work carried on over to the big screen as well. Notably, it was a great sight to see the co-stars speaking so fondly and highly of the UFC fighter. According to them, Conor McGregor is more than capable of making a real go in Hollywood moving forward.
Conor McGregor shares his thoughts on acting and movies
Previously, Conor McGregor made his much-awaited appearance at UFC 285. As it turns out, the Irishman along with the cast and crew of the ‘Road House’ movie was shooting a segment, utilizing the crowd and the Octagon of a real-life UFC event. Safe to say, it further drew in a lot more fans, drumming up further hype and anticipation for the movie.
Since then, we have seen Conor doing a lot of promotional work for the movie. Recently, he was also present for the premiere and the world tour. Notably, he had some very interesting comments to make ahead of his first acting stint:
“It was hard work. you know. Fighting compared to this was easy. And, I’m excited and eager to get back to the fight game because this is a tough business and I have so much respect for everyone in it.”
With that said, Conor McGregor is eyeing a return to the Octagon this year, with International Fight Week being his main target. Whilst Michael Chandler is likely the opponent, it remains to be seen when the fight actually takes place. If things go his way, we could see McGregor take to the Octagon at least twice this year.
