An open casting call has gone out for Zack Snyder’s UFC movie Brawler, which could be a sign the project is starting to move forward and may wind up being Zack’s next feature.
The new listing is looking for MMA fighters and influencers to appear in background gym scenes, which suggests production activity is picking up on the film announced last year.
Back in March 2025, it was first reported that Snyder was set to direct Brawler with UFC, Dana White, and Saudi official Turki Alalshikh involved. The film does not yet have an official studio or production banner attached, but Paramount looks like the most natural fit.
Open casting call points to movement on Brawler
The casting notice (considered unofficial at this time) is seeking “MMA Fighters & Influencers for Feature Film Background Roles” and says the production wants experienced MMA fighters and influencers to appear as background talent in a gym setting.
The listing says the role is meant for people with real MMA experience who can bring authenticity to the scenes without doing stunts.
It also lists pay at $224 for eight hours for SAG performers and $144 for eight hours for non-union talent.
The casting call does not confirm cameras are rolling tomorrow, but it does show Brawler is more than just an announcement on paper.
When a production starts looking for specific background talent tied to a fight-gym environment, it usually means real prep is underway. IMDb still lists Brawler as being in pre-production.
Why the Paramount angle is interesting
The timing is what makes this interesting.
Paramount’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is currently expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, with several reports pointing to a possible late-July target if approvals come through.
Paramount has also confirmed and disclosed major financing for the deal, including backing tied to Gulf investors.
Brawler already has obvious connective tissue to Paramount’s orbit. The UFC relationship is one part of it, and the Saudi connection is another, with Alalshikh attached as an executive producer.
If Paramount closes the WBD deal on schedule, it is easy to see why Brawler is a project that could fit neatly into that larger picture.
What Brawler is about
Brawler centers on a young fighter from the rough streets of Los Angeles who gets a shot at a UFC championship while fighting his inner demons and looking for redemption.
Snyder is making the film through Stone Quarry alongside UFC, Dana White, and Turki Alalshikh, with Shay Hatten and Kurt Johnstad writing the screenplay with Snyder. Deborah Snyder and Wesley Coller are also producing through Stone Quarry.
When the movie was announced, Snyder said, “Behind every great fighter is the story of how they got there,” while Alalshikh praised Snyder’s style and said he could not think of a better filmmaker to bring UFC to the big screen. Dana White also called it an ambitious project aimed at showing fans what it takes to become a UFC champion.
Brawler may be next after The Last Photograph
Snyder also recently finished his indie movie The Last Photograph, which puts more attention on what he will do next.
With this Brawler casting call now out in the open, the UFC movie looks like it has real momentum.
