Going Haywire: Five Athletes Besides Gina Carano Who Should Be In Movies

Could the next action star be a good sportsman?

By: Luke Y. Thompson

Just as Michael Ovitz once looked at aikido instructor Steven Seagal and saw a star, or Steven Soderbergh believed in a big-screen Gina Carano, we see great potential here.

Tim Tebow. It probably wouldn't be too hard to convince Tebow to make a religious-themed flick, but we'd like to advocate for one where he plays a demon-whupping archangel, rather than, say, a regular guy who learns how to be a better father. Plus, courtesy of John Parr, he already has his own soundtrack.

Nate Quarry. He played a zombie in a video game, and has expressed interest in underground cage-fights with the undead, so let's make that happen onscreen. Throw in cameos from Steven Seagal and Randy Couture for good measure.

Michael Phelps. He just needs the right script: something about a nuclear submarine sinking to an absurd depth at which only a specially trained former Olympian could survive the pressure. But first, some sexy sensei would have to teach him how to use a weapon...and his heart.

The Miz. An obnoxious ex-contestant on MTV reality shows who plays up that persona in WWE, Mike Mizanin has awesome improv skills and a talent for becoming hated. We'd like to see Jaden Smith kick him in the crotch in a Karate Kid sequel.

Akebono. When you've run out of the other martial arts, why not a sumo action star?

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