As a lifelong MMA fan who has seen more fights than I can count and suffered through countless subpar attempts at capturing the sport’s essence on film, I am beyond excited for Netflix’s new series, La Cage. With its talented cast, including some real-life UFC legends like Ciryl Gane and Georges St-Pierre, it’s clear that the creators are serious about getting MMA right this time around.
Prepare MMA enthusiasts, as the moment has arrived – Bruce Buffer-style! “It’s Time!” The film and TV industry is getting another chance to create an exceptional drama centered on mixed martial arts. Ever since its emergence in the 90s, fans have yearned for a captivating movie or series that would offer MMA its own Rocky. While Hollywood has come closest with the film Warrior, starring Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton, a new Netflix series titled La Cage (The Cage in English) appears to be a promising contender.
Besides its lineup of rising stars, the show La Cage also includes appearances by some high-profile Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighters. Notably, former Interim Heavyweight Champion Ciryl Gane, who hails from and trains in Paris, was a natural fit for the cast. Additionally, retired champion and MMA legend Georges St-Pierre can also be seen in the series. What’s more, controversial UFC veteran Jon Jones has a role, which could account for his recent absence from competitive fighting.
Why Are MMA Dramas So Hard to Get Right?
In the 2000s, or more specifically, the noughties, Hollywood made a strong effort to cash in on the surge of popularity of the UFC. Films such as “Boyka: Undisputed” and “Never Back Down” provided an exaggerated portrayal of the sport. Despite having loyal fanbases for each series, it’s widely acknowledged by MMA enthusiasts that their depiction of the sport leaves much to be desired. However, the 2011 film “Warrior,” directed by Gavin O’Connor, stands out as the most authentic MMA-themed movie ever produced. Even after more than a decade has passed, this film is still considered the best in its genre. The question remains: Why is it such a challenge for Hollywood to accurately portray the sport on the silver screen?
The origins of UFC, established in 1993, revolve around comparing different martial arts to find out which one reigns supreme. Consequently, distinguishing false or ineffective martial arts became crucial for fans. Over time, this tradition has carried on as new martial art styles are incorporated into the evolving and expanding sport. Notably, this trend significantly influenced the popularity of mixed martial arts movies.
Because MMA is entirely based on realistic, effective fighting, it can be hard to capture accurately on screen. Hollywood fights have to be stylized, both to entertain audiences, and to keep the actors and stunt performers safe during production. Movies like John Wick have done a great job of showcasing effective and stylish grappling on the big screen, but the multi-faceted striking of MMA is still hard to translate on camera. Audiences are hoping that, given the bona fide UFC talent involved in the project, La Cage could be the first series in recent years to get MMA right on screen, while also being an entertaining show.
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2024-10-11 19:31