‘Beast’ Trailer Unleashes Russell Crowe’s New MMA Movie

While Gladiator star and Academy Award winner Russell Crowe sadly is not pulling a Rocky Balboa and climbing into the ring at age 61, he is nonetheless a beast (one of many) in the new trailer for MMA action sports drama, Beast.

Directed by Tyler Atkins, Beast is written by Russell Crowe and Land of Bads’ David Frigerio. The cast includes Crowe alongside Daniel MacPherson (Foundation), Bren Foster (Life After Fighting), Luke Hemsworth (The Terminal List: Dark Wolf), Mojean Aria (The Correspondent), Kelly Gale (Plane), George Burgess (Land of Bad), Saphira Moran (It Will Find You) and Australian musician Amy Shark in her feature film debut.

Beast is now all set to hit theaters with a bang on April 10, 2026, and you can check out both the newly released trailer and official synopsis below…

After years away from the cage, a once-feared MMA champion is pulled back in for the fight of his life when his younger brother is put in danger. Reuniting with the trainer who once made him a legend, he commits to one final showdown against the reigning title-holder — a brutal fighter determined to dismantle the ex-champ’s legacy in front of the world. Pushed to his breaking point, the contender’s stakes are simple: win, or lose everything he’s built. Starring Daniel MacPherson, Luke Hemsworth, and Oscar® winner Russell Crowe (Actor in a Leading Role, Gladiator, 2000).

Will ‘Beast’ Be Added to the Short List of Great MMA Movies?

Outside the likes of Warrior starring Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s recent biopic The Smashing Machine, there are surprisingly few truly great MMA movies that mine the sport for all the action and drama inherent in it. Certainly, based on the trailer, Beast promises to deliver all the heated rivalries, intense performances, white-knuckle fights, and montages that audiences could want.

While we’ll have to wait until April to find out if Beast can add itself to that short list, writer David Frigerio has previously promised that Beast is a “true martial arts film” with a classic “hero’s journey at the heart,” while producer John Schwarz has stated it will be an accurate “reflection” of MMA.

“It’s a true martial arts film with a hero’s journey at the heart. Nuanced characters deliver drama whilst epic fights bring dynamic action, which is sure to thrill and entertain audiences around the world.”

“The world we’ve created is a true reflection of the sport to ensure the film resonates with fans. Our climactic scene was recently filmed in Thailand at a real ONE Championship fight environment with over 10,000 people. Our actors have trained tirelessly to ensure knockout performances that embody the explosive raw energy and emotion of MMA fights. We can’t wait for people to feel and see it on the big screen.”

With Russell Crowe on both starring and scripting duty, alongside starring roles for Strike Back star Daniel MacPherson and Life After Fighting actor (and your new favorite action hero), Bren Foster, should Beast line everything up as well as teased here, it could easily deliver the perfect cinematic punch.