Dana White and Saudi kingpin rope in Zack Snyder for electrifying ‘Brawler’ project

Filmmaker Zack Snyder teams with Dana White's UFC and Saudi Minister Turki Alalshikh to direct 'Brawler,' a new MMA movie.

Dana White and Saudi kingpin rope in Zack Snyder for electrifying ‘Brawler’ project

Zack Snyder to take pointers from UFC CEO Dana White on 'Brawler' (Source: X/IMAGO/IG)

Filmmaker Zack Snyder is on the tab to direct “Brawler,” a new feature about an L.A. man who makes his mark in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The filmmaker, who will also co-write and produce, is teaming up with headman Dana White‘s UFC on the film. Another man tagging along is His Excellency Turki Alashikh.

Snyder is repped by CAA; Sloan, Offer Weber & Dern, and ID PR. He already has had jewels like Man of Steel, 300, and Army of the Dead to his credit. Brawler is to be his first foray into a film about cagefighting grind. Hence comes in Dana White and his expertise; the UFC CEO did have a hard critique of Tom Hardy‘s Warrior. He likes only certain MMA adaptations and is putting stock into this one. He even reposted an article about it on IG Stories.

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and Zack Snyder have a shared vision to create a film about UFC, …They are both very passionate about this project to show fans what it takes to become a UFC champion. It’s an incredibly ambitious project and I look forward to seeing it come to life.

Dana White in a press release for ‘Brawler’; H/T: Variety

Meanwhile, Saudi GEA chairman and boxing chief Turki Alashikh is the man responsible for all the settings and venues for mega cards in the combat capital. He’s also the owner of the boxing magazine, The Ring. So, his funding might help prop up this budget venture. While the UFC project is taking shape, Snyder is still in development on an untitled feature at Netflix that will focus on the Los Angeles Police Department.

UFC/MMA fighting movies are all the craze. But unlike other genres, this one is a peculiarity where origin stories matter. Subsequently, they really can’t be overdone as much when it comes to fighting. From Michael Jai White to Kevin James (Here Comes the Boom, a 2012 film by Frank Coraci with a UFC connection) to Channing Tatum, everyone has done fighting origin stories. Snyder’s story is supposedly to yet again go to core at the beginning of an ‘Ultimate’ fighter.

His Excellency pushed for a Zack Snyder-Dana White unison

MMA/UFC movies are thrilling to watch as they feed the nostalgia for action. For example, Road House—a remake of the 1989 cult classic made $750 million in just over a week. But it was no more and no less than nostalgia fuel, starring UFC fighter Conor McGregor. Despite 59% critics and a 55% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, it got a mixed bag of reactions. With a global IMDb rating of 6.2/10, it made #5 on MMA Junkie’s list of The best (and worst!) MMA movies of all time.

Turki Alalshikh wanted Dana White and Zack Snyder to partner up
Turki Alalshikh wanted Dana White and Zack Snyder to partner up (Source: X)

Other UFC star-casting has been similar, hitting hands, and nostalgia-fueling affairs. Per Dana White, one of the very few MMA adaptations he liked was Kingdom, which was a television series. Other MMA series have tried to make it big on the tele in the same vein.

However, Saudi GEA man Turki Alashikh once mentioned being a longtime fan of Zack Snyder. He thus saw the potential of him partnering up with White and his UFC for something marketable.

I’ve been a fan of Zack’s work for years, his unique style — from his iconic action sequences to his sweeping visuals and intensely emotional storytelling — coupled with his humanized portrayal of deeply-flawed characters is singular, …I couldn’t think of a better person to partner with to bring the UFC to the big screen…The Ring Magazine, with its 103-year legacy, will support to ensure the project’s success.

Turki Alashikh said in a statement

Shay Hatten and Kurt Johnstad will also co-write the film. Producing alongside Zack Snyder are Deborah Snyder and Wesley Coller for their Stone Quarry banner. Alashikh, Johnstad, and Hatten will serve as exec producers alongside Craig Borsari, chief content officer of UFC. Borsari and his exec team were in charge of the spectacular Noche PPV media package at UFC 306, with Saudi GEA funding.

Related: Jake Gyllenhaal quips at ‘accidentally’ getting punched by Conor McGregor during Road House shooting