Zack Snyder will direct MMA movie ‘Brawler’ with UFC backing

An upcoming feature film will be squarely centered on the octagon with an A-List director at the helm.

Zack Snyder will direct “Brawler,” which reportedly will be about a Los Angeles man’s rise in the UFC. According to a report from Variety, Snyder will co-write the feature and produce alongside UFC CEO Dana White and Turki Alalshikh, Saudi Arabia’s chair of the General Entertainment Authority.

Snyder long has been a fixture at UFC events, and now he’ll bring what he knows about the UFC’s brand of entertainment to the big screen.

“They are both very passionate about this project to show fans what it takes to become a UFC champion,” White said in a statement published by Ring Magazine, which Alalshikh purchased in 2024. “It’s an incredibly ambitious project and I look forward to seeing it come to life.”

No production, casting or release timetables have been announced for the project.

Snyder made his directorial debut with “Dawn of the Dead” more than 20 years ago and followed it with the highly acclaimed “300,” which he co-wrote. His work on the action sequences in “300” alone could serve him well directing MMA fight scenes, it could be presumed.

In later years, he became a bit of a polarizing name in the industry, at least among fans who argued over his takes on DC Comics legendary characters like Superman in “Man of Steel” and Batman. But most notably, he directed the 2017 “Justice League,” but left mid-project after the death of his daughter. He got lone directing credit, but said very little of his original cut was retained. A version of the film was put out in 2021 that is his version, and the consensus reception from fans and critics alike was far better than the original.

“Behind every great fighter is the story of how they got there,” Snyder stated. “UFC is the world leader in combat sports and I’m honored to be partnering with them to tell this incredible story.”