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What's the story?
The Wrap reported on Thursday that 16-time world champion and two-time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair is going to make his acting debut in a feature film. Flair has agreed in principle to join the cast of "Uncle Steamroller & Champion Rabbit".
In case you didn't know...
Though this is the feature film debut for Flair, he appeared in the popular 90s television show Baywatch as himself in 1996. He was also in Magic Mike XXL movie as the "leather faced old man".
The heart of the matter
Uncle Steamroller & Champion Rabbit is a pro wrestling movie about an Iraqi war veteran who struggles to attempt to regain the heavyweight championship that he lost. To add to the struggles, he's managed by a failed motivational speaker.
Flair's role will be of the president of the World Wrestling Union; which was described as, "a Las Vegas syndicate that owns the wrestling tour on which the titular Uncle Steamroller attempts to stage his comeback."
The Wrap interviewed Flair about the movie role recently, and he had the following to say:
“I really like this wonderfully written script and find it to be very entertaining. The edgy sense of humor is great, but the story also has a good heart. I’m expecting the inspirational story line will appeal to fans that extend beyond my loyal core wrestling base, and I am seriously looking forward to getting this film in front of worldwide audiences. Wooooooooooooooooo!”
The movie is also going to be executively produced by Flair and his fiancee Wendy Barlow and will have an R rating. The movie is set for a 2019 release.
What's next?
Next up for the Flair family is Charlotte defending her WWE SmackDown Women's Championship against Ruby Riott at WWE Fastlane this Sunday. Many expect Charlotte to retain followed by Asuka showing up to challenge her for WrestleMania.
Author's take
I'm amazed that at the age of 69, this is the first feature film acting role for Ric Flair. His popularity started way back in the mid-1970s, so you'd figure that at some point during the past 45-plus years that he would have been in a movie. It'll be very interesting to see how this movie shapes up.
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