Ooh Yeeah! A ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage Biopic Is Coming, And I Know 6 Actors Who Would Be Perfect As The Beloved Wrestler

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Honestly, I didn’t think I’d see the day when Macho Man Randy Savage and Kenan Thompson were mentioned together in a wrestling news story, especially one hinting at a truly unusual biopic. But these are strange times, and I’m definitely not upset about this! A Macho Man movie sounds far more appealing to me than any other sports biography coming out soon. (Smashing Machine, which has received a lot of praise, is the only exception.)

Kenan Thompson and Johnny Ryan Jr., who work together as producing partners, are creating a new project currently called Macho. They’re developing it through their company, Artists for Artists, which is also behind a remake of the 1980s horror film Sleepaway Camp – a remake they believe is worthwhile. The script for the biopic was written collaboratively by Savage’s brother, Lanny Poffo (also known as The Genius), who sadly passed away in February 2023, and screenwriter Eric Shapiro.

Even now, Macho Man appears to be a promising biopic, but considering Randy Savage was such a one-of-a-kind WWE and WCW Hall of Famer, most of us would probably say the movie’s success hinges on finding the right actor to portray him. Let’s look at a few performers who I believe could realistically deliver a great performance, no matter what they’ve done in their careers so far.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Even though Aaron Taylor-Johnson is reportedly a bit shorter than Macho Man, and is from England instead of Ohio, the actor has consistently shown he can handle physically demanding roles in films like The Fall Guy, Fuze, and 28 Years Later (plus Kraven the Hunter), and he’s clearly able to build muscle when a role requires it. Taylor-Johnson is also skilled at growing facial hair, which would be perfect considering the wrestling legend’s iconic mustache and beard. Plus, he looks great in outlandish outfits, a necessity since Macho Man was known for having one of the most consistently over-the-top looks throughout his career.

Jared Leto

Okay, I know it sounds completely crazy to say this, but I genuinely think Jared Leto would be perfect as Macho Man. And I don’t feel weird saying it at all! It’s because Leto really commits to method acting – he goes all-in for roles. I honestly believe he could – and would – deliver the over-the-top energy that Randy Savage was famous for, and also nail those quieter, more vulnerable moments. I’d even bet he’d sign a six-month contract with NXT to train beforehand, and probably live off nothing but Slim Jims during filming! Seriously, is Macho Man really that different from The Joker? Wait, don’t even answer that. I’m just saying, the potential is there!

Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Even though Maxwell Jacob Friedman hasn’t wrestled for WWE yet, he’s become a major star in wrestling thanks to his time with AEW. Fans and experts alike appreciate his skills in the ring and his convincing villainous character. He’s also known for being articulate outside of wrestling events. Recently, Friedman has been pursuing acting roles, appearing in films like The Iron Claw, Happy Gilmore 2, and the upcoming Violent Night 2, scheduled for release in 2026, suggesting he has the commitment needed to play Macho Man in a movie. Interestingly, both Savage and Friedman are prominent wrestlers of Jewish heritage, which would add a layer of authenticity to the casting.

Tyler Posey

Tyler Posey is probably most famous for playing Scott McCall in MTV’s Teen Wolf and the recent Paramount+ movie continuation. In 2024, he took on a wrestling role in Queen of the Ring, playing a love interest for the iconic Mildred Burke. Interestingly, he also appeared on Season 10 of The Masked Singer as “Hawk,” which meant he was essentially performing in wrestling gear! Considering his strong acting ability and impressive mustache, I believe he’d be a surprisingly good choice to play Randy Savage. He’d especially excel at portraying the romantic relationship between Savage and his manager and wife, Miss Elizabeth, who he was married to from 1984 to 1992.

Ezra Miller

Just like considering Jared Leto for the role, I’ve also included Ezra Miller, believing the actor has the potential for a really unique and eccentric performance. While The Flash actor hasn’t been as active recently because of some personal troubles, things seem to be improving. Miller is working again with Lynne Ramsay, the director of We Need To Talk About Kevin, on an upcoming vampire film. I genuinely believe Miller could rock Randy Savage’s incredibly vibrant costumes better than anyone else.

Jeremy Allen White

After already playing a very sad and well-known wrestler, Kerry Von Erich, in The Iron Claw, Jeremy Allen White is already ahead of the game when it comes to getting in shape for another physically imposing role. The biggest challenge for him might be that many of his performances are quiet and reserved, which is the opposite of how Macho Man presented himself on TV. However, I believe he could definitely still succeed in the role.

Dan Soder

The previous ideas for casting largely focus on an actor’s physical skills and ability to give a powerful performance. However, when considering Dan Soder, it’s all about his voice. What fans most vividly remember about Macho Man is arguably his distinctive way of speaking – it’s much easier to copy one of his famous promo lines than to attempt a diving elbow drop. Soder is incredibly skilled at the impression, sounding so much like Savage that I could imagine the biopic using his voiceover work instead of the actor’s on-screen performance. I don’t know if Soder could realistically get into the physical shape of a pro wrestler to fully embody the role, and I’m honestly not very optimistic about that aspect.

I really don’t want a Randy Savage biopic to use an A.I. program to play the Hall of Famer. Macho Man was far too human for something like that, you know?

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2025-09-29 17:12