Wow, it seems like a lot of UFC fighters are making major movie news as of late, but this rumor is actually true. And for this special TV 2 Film edition, I'll leave it with this little tidbit from Moviehole...again...
UFC fighter Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson was rumoured to be up for the role of B.A Baracus in Joe Carnahan’s “A-Team” movie a couple of weeks ago – but the reports were speedily dismissed by the sportsman’s peeps.
Today however The Vancouver Sun reports that Jackson has indeed won the much-coveted gig (everyone from Ice Cube to Tyrese Gibson was said to be in the running at one time or another), suggesting he was in town as recent as last week prepping for the role made famous by Mr T in the 80s classic.
Says the outlet, ‘’The Sun has learned Rampage was in Vancouver on August 19 to discuss the role with producers and arrived in town Friday to prepare for filming.’’
If indeed true (and sounds like it is), Jackson joins Liam Neeson (Hannibal Smith) and Bradley Cooper (‘Faceman’) for the Twentieth Century Fox flick. It hasn’t been announced who’s playing Howling Mad Murdock yet.
31-year-old Jackson rose to prominence in Japan's Pride Fighting Championships where he was noted for his powerful body slams including a knockout victory via power bomb over Ricardo Arona.
Unlike Mr T, who played Baracus on the series, Jackson’s a bit of a trouble-maker off screen.
He was in the news last year when he was booked on suspicion of felony reckless driving, and felony hit and run after striking several vehicles. He reportedly led pursuing officers on a chase while driving on the wrong side of the street and on city sidewalks in his lifted Ford F-350 with his picture painted on the side. During the chase one of the tires blew out on his truck and he continued to flee while driving on his rims and showering the street with sparks. Tsk, Tsk..