In the world of modern professional boxing, the name Conor McGregor reigns supreme. As he embarks on his latest Hollywood adventure, McGregor brings a wealth of experience and passion to the role of Roadhouse villain Knox with characteristic poise. With his well-built physique, steely gaze and undeniable charisma, McGregor is electrifying audiences and leaving an indelible mark on the silver screen.
McGregor’s aura extends beyond his tattoos and legendary UFC record. From the iconic tiger crouching on his tummy to the intricate designs adorning his arms, McGregor’s tattoos are more than just body art; they are visual tributes to his journey and indomitable spirit.
Why is his leap from the ring to the big screen so intriguing? It’s more than just cool celebrity crossover appeal. It’s a testament to the ever-evolving world of entertainment, where the boundaries between sports, entertainment and lifestyle blur and conventions are transcended. His journey from the rough streets of Dublin to the glamour of Hollywood speaks volumes about the power of unshakeable confidence. So fasten your seatbelt and brace yourself as McGregor unleashes his signature magic.
SP: Coming from a working-class background in Dublin with street cred roots, it’s remarkable how you went from being an MMA fighter to being cast in Road House. No doubt you turned down multiple film roles to get the golden opportunity to remake this iconic film. What did director Doug Liman say to inspire you?
CM: Doug and producer Joel Silver really put together the total package. First, I’m a huge fan of Patrick Swayze and the original Roadhouse. When I heard that Jake Gyllenhaal would be starring alongside Billy Magnussen, I knew it was an opportunity to join such a great cast and I was super interested. The fact that we were filming in the Dominican Republic with the backing of Amazon Prime and MGM Studios was also a big draw. The timing was also totally fortunate; I was recovering from an injury I’d sustained in a previous pageant, so I was able to take time off to film.
SP: Known for your fierce competitive nature, how did you manage to tone down your natural “alpha-ness” and embrace collaborative interactions with your co-stars?
CM: We had a great team that encouraged us to use our flair in the right places. That was key. Our action directors and stunt coordinators, Garrett Warren and Steve Brown, gave us a lot of freedom. They laid the foundation and the foundation, and then we added our own throttle and drama to it. They were very receptive and gave us confidence, so we continued to evolve the action scenes step by step.
SP: Road House is a cult classic. Tell us about a meaningful scene that made it into the final cut, and did you feel like you truly embodied the character of Knox in that scene?
CM: Right from the roadhouse raid scene, I wanted to establish this character in an impactful way, with each shot adding a layer to this “workaholic” guy with a clear purpose. You know that for Knox, work and play are all the same, and it was really fun to highlight that in a pivotal scene.
SP: Jake’s character, Dalton, is more philosophical than just a moral guy. In the original, Dalton is a bodyguard with a sense of justice. How do you think Swayze’s 1989 character will be perceived in 2024?
CM: Well, it didn’t work out that well. He probably won’t last long. That’s why we see a more complex and sinister side of Dalton. Big kudos to Doug Liman for recreating this character for a new generation. It wasn’t written this way in the script. Dalton’s character evolved during filming and deepened as Doug understood how to amplify the conflict when Jake and I went head-to-head. Doug suddenly saw a wild look in Jake’s eyes and wanted to bring that out more and explore darker shades. I was fascinated by this. The atmosphere can change in interesting directions based on the chemistry the director finds on set.
SP: It must have been cathartic to experience that momentary moveable holiday on set. The film industry often requires actors to transform their bodies for their roles. You didn’t have to “build muscle” for Roadhouse, but what challenges would you like to take outside your comfort zone for a deeper acting role? Singing, surfing, dancing, playing drums… any ideas?
CM: I’m open to everything. My life experiences lend themselves to any role. When I look back on my life, I sometimes feel like I’ve been far from reality, so there’s no reason not to take on new challenges. Sometimes I feel like an animal in a zoo. No one really knows the real Conor. There are guesses and speculations, but that’s it. We’ll see what happens. There may be more acting projects in the future, but for now I’m back in martial arts.
SP: I was blown away when I saw how intricate, visceral and “all-out” the Roadhouse fight scenes were. I wondered if that’s how McGregor heals his injuries. Ironically, your UFC trainers have to “protect you from fake fighting” so you can hit the big time when you return to the Octagon. Were you banned from doing any particular stunts on the Roadhouse set by your trainers or lawyers?
CM: No, there are no official restrictions. I do all my own stunts.
SP: Really? Did you survive mock body blows and leg sweeps? Would you say you did 50-60% of the stunts that made it into the final cut?
CM: I’d say 98%. I was mostly healed, but not enough to return to competition. The only part I wasn’t allowed to film was the backwards fall down the stairs.
SP: I’m glad a tragic accident caused by a staircase collision was avoided.
CM: On the days of intense martial arts choreography, a stuntman was on hand to do the work, but I didn’t think he looked like me so I did it myself.
SP: Is this a matter of “quality control” in terms of image and likeness?
CM: Exactly. I was outcome-oriented every step of the way.
SP: I thought the legal team would have a list of 20 things that were forbidden.
CM: There is definitely a short list, but things that happen on a film set aren’t on the list.
SP: You grew up in the UFC arena, rewriting the rules and breaking boundaries one after the other. After your long and storied relationship with the league, what do you honestly think of Dana White?
CM: I have the utmost respect for Dana. There was no Dana White. There was no UFC. He put everything into it. From the beginning to the growth, he worked 24/7, was a soldier on the ground and is still very active today as CEO.
SP: Your animalistic hype screams are legendary and inspire your most loyal fans. To me they sound like a mix of one part sabre tooth tiger and two parts silverback gorilla. What hybrid beast or primal energy are you conjuring in those moments?
CM: Gorilla! Check out the tattoo on my upper chest. That’s my beast mode. My gym logo is a gorilla version of me. If I hear a silverback go off, I’ll attack straight up. When we shot the crazy speedboat fight scene in the Atlantic, I imitated this famous image of a Siberian tiger diving for meat. There’s a moment where I almost dive into the camera lens to get that effect.
SP: That scene must have had a visceral reaction at the South by Southwest premiere.
CM: Yeah, they cheered then. Boom!
SP: The Dominican Republic has some pretty impressive nightlife options. Share some memorable behind-the-scenes guy-bonding moments with your co-stars Jake, Billy and Post Malone that filming fans will enjoy.
CM: The most memorable bonding moment for me was the afterparty at SXSW. It was so wild, we partied until the crack of dawn. I made lifelong friends on this film, and the fact that we were all in it together is the most powerful part of this film.
SP: Tell us about the tattoos you showed off in the film. How did the special effects tattoos help you get into character?
CM: Mentally, it helped me a lot to embody this tough bad guy. I sat in a chair for an hour and a half every day on set, and “Knock Knocks” was a big hit. I really love the tattoos for this character. The tattoo on my back was really cool.
SP: As one of the most followed UFC fighters on social media with over 70 million followers, what do you feel is the most meaningful purpose for using your social media platforms?
CM: It’s to show people a positive outlook on life, regardless of the situation they’re facing. For me, it’s about spreading positivity — fun and happiness. I try to give my fans a glimpse into my life.
