Russell Crowe’s Sports Film ‘The Beast in Me’ Boarded by MMA Franchise One Championship (EXCLUSIVE)

As an avid fan of both Russell Crowe and mixed martial arts, I can hardly contain my excitement for “The Beast in Me.” With my extensive background in following both cinema and combat sports, this film seems like a perfect amalgamation of my two passions. The fact that it’s being produced in collaboration with One Championship, a leading MMA organization, adds an authenticity that I believe will resonate strongly with audiences.


The mixed martial arts organization, One Championship, is now involved with “The Beast Within Me,” an action-packed sports movie featuring Russell Crowe and Daniel MacPherson (known for “The Water Diviner” and “Foundation”).

In the movie, MacPherson portrays an ex-MMA combatant without a job who experiences a devastating family event involving his sibling. With guidance from a seasoned coach, played by Crowe, he decides to seek retribution for his brother by returning to competition in One Championship.

The movie, titled “Broken Open Pictures’ Production,” is being made by a U.S. company and will be helmed by director Tyler Atkins, known for his work on “Ocean Boy.” The rights to distribute this film internationally are handled by Solution Entertainment Group, based in Los Angeles.

Filming for this project is slated to commence towards the end of this year and continue into early 2025. Among the shooting locations will be Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, which will serve as the backdrop for a crucial scene during the live event on January 24 next year. Furthermore, additional scenes for the movie are anticipated to be captured throughout the fight week.

One has verified that Crowe is scheduled to be in Bangkok for filming a scene, and so will the dynamic Chairman and charismatic CEO of the company, Chatri Sityodtong. However, instead of returning to his previous role as a wrestler, he will portray an executive character.

Crow (alongside David Frigero) penned the screenplay. Frigero, along with Tim O’Hair and John Schwarz, will be the producers. Shane Abbess and Brett Thornquest will serve as executive producers in this project.

Using our extensive connections with numerous athletes and competitions, we’re ready to provide a thrilling cinematic journey that truly embodies the spirit of martial arts,” Frigero explained.

As a passionate cinephile, I’m beyond excited to collaborate with the talented ensemble and production crew behind ‘The Beast in Me.’ I firmly believe that One is the ideal platform to bring their compelling tale of resilience, tenacity, and grit to life. We can hardly wait to welcome them all to Bangkok during a One Friday Fights fight week in January.

Originally based in Singapore, One was established in 2011 as a company that arranges and publicizes fights across various martial arts styles such as MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and others. These events are streamed through its own apps, YouTube, and a network of international broadcasters like Prime Video and beIN Sports in certain regions. In response to the pandemic, One also ventured into reality TV production, creating a 13-episode series titled “The Apprentice: One Championship Edition.

For the first time in late 2021, Crowe journeyed to Thailand, marking his debut visit, for the filming of Peter Farrelly’s movie titled “The Greatest Beer Run Ever”. Having just emerged from a lockdown in Australia, he enthusiastically assumed an informal position as a tourism ambassador. During his stay in Bangkok, he generated attention by interviewing potential city mayors, engaging with the minister of culture, dining at a Michelin-starred street food vendor, and posting extensively on social media.

Read More

2024-09-11 14:18