WWE star Drew McIntyre has credited Batista with helping launch his Hollywood career, revealing that the former World Heavyweight Champion played an instrumental role in securing his first major film opportunity.
On Booker T’s Hall of Fame podcast, Drew McIntyre discussed his transition from professional wrestling to acting and how Batista helped him land a role in the 2024 action film The Killer’s Game. McIntyre explained that his years in WWE gave him valuable on-camera experience, though adapting those skills to film and television required a different approach.
“I’ve grown up in WWE since I was 21, so I’ve learned a lot about life, but in particular about being on camera. The number one thing for myself transitioning to the other world of Hollywood, TV, the ReelShort app stuff, is learning to relax,” McIntyre said.
The Scottish wrestler recalled moving to the United States at a young age and appearing on worldwide television while still adjusting to life away from his family, friends and culture. Despite those challenges, wrestling and performing in front of cameras remained constants throughout his career. However, McIntyre revealed that Batista offered him some particularly valuable advice when he began pursuing acting opportunities.
Drew McIntyre Reveals How Batista Helped Him Secure Hollywood Roles
Drew McIntyre explained that Batista personally helped him become involved in The Killer’s Game, offering advice that would influence his approach to future acting projects.
“And that’s what Batista told me on The Killer’s Game. He got my foot in the door. He brought me into that movie. He told me, ‘When you see the camera, you relax.’ And sure enough, I relaxed.”
The experience subsequently opened the door to additional opportunities, including a role in the upcoming Highlander reboot. McIntyre revealed that he met director Chad Stahelski, best known for the John Wick franchise, who offered him the opportunity to portray Angus, Connor MacLeod’s brother.
“A couple of years later, I had the chance to meet Chad, who directs the John Wick movies. He’s doing Highlander, and offered me the part of Angus, Connor MacLeod’s brother, which is a huge movie I watched as a kid.”
The film will also feature Henry Cavill, marking another significant step in McIntyre’s developing acting career. His involvement in Highlander subsequently led to an opportunity to work alongside Russell Crowe in The Last Druid. McIntyre admitted he initially struggled to believe the news when his agent told him Crowe had personally requested his involvement.
“It led to meeting Russell Crowe, who asked for me to do The Last Druid. I didn’t believe my agent. I actually hung up. He said, ‘Russell Crowe asked me for a movie.’”
Drew McIntyre has also expanded his acting work through WWE’s collaboration with ReelShort. His latest project, Agent of Shadows, premiered on October 23, adding another credit to his growing filmography.
