Michael Bisping lands lead role in “The Journeyman”
Michael Bisping has been casted for the lead role in an upcoming boxing film called “The Journeyman.” The movie is based on a book by British author Mark Turley.
Deadline was first to report the news.
Since retiring from fighting in 2018, Bisping was landed acting roles in television series such as “Warrior,” “Twin Peaks: The Return,” “MacGyver,” and “Magnum P.I.” Bisping has also appeared in the movies “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” and “Den of Thieves.”
In his new leading role, Bisping will be playing Kenny “The Beast” Breen, who is a past-his-prime fighter with a record of 11-85-0. Breen has also been diagnosed with neurological damage and struggles with alcohol and drug abuse. Given all that, Breen still continues to fight on the small-hall circuit.
The original book for which the movie is based on is titled “The Journeymen: The Other Side of the Boxing Business, a New Perspective on the Noble Art.” The book includes interviews with boxers Johnny Greaves, Kristian Laight, Daniel Thorpe and Jody Meikle. All four of those fighters lost a number of fights ranging between 43 and 164 losses each.
Greaves will serve as technical advisor for the film which is expected to be filmed in England with Dan Phelan directing.
Bisping is a UFC Hall of Famer and won the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 199 when he knocked out Luke Rockhold. He is the only fighter of British decent to hold a UFC title. Since retiring, Bisping has remained active in the sport as an analyst for ESPN and he hosts a podcast called “Believe You Me.”
