It’s been a busy time for Noel Clarke following his Rising Star BAFTA in 2009, with roles in Centurion, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll as well as his own heist movie 4.3.2.1 marking the second time Clarke has stepped behind the camera.
Speaking with Screen Daily today Clarke has revealed his intentions to once again direct, choosing to set his scene in the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). He will also star in the film which he has written, he said, partly as a response to the recent success of similar films,
I looked at films like The Wrestler and The Fighter and thought to myself, ‘Why hasn’t there been a British film like that?’ I’m trying to expand what British films do.
I’ve been a massive fan of the sport [MMA] for a long time and this felt like the right time to make this film, as I’ve got more confident as a film-maker. MMA is more popular than football when you look at the attendance figures. It’s the fastest growing sport in the world.
According to the report the film will revlove around Clarke’s character, who is a “down on his luck MMA fighter who gets drawn further into the sport than he would have liked.” Clarke’s production company Unstoppable is finishing the deals to roll into production, and the film already has a UK distributor.
Look for this one to develop quickly, as Clarke isn’t one to do things at a leisurely pace.
