Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World underwent significant changes during its post-production, resulting in the removal of scenes featuring WWE superstar Seth Rollins. Director Julius Onah, in an interview with ComicBook.com, clarified the circumstances surrounding Rollins’ cut.
Rollins was initially reported to be involved with the Serpent Society, a group of snake-themed villains. However, Onah explained that the group’s portrayal evolved considerably. “As we were evolving…we were trying to figure out…who’s somebody that can bring a very specific kind of gravitas,” Onah stated. This led to the casting of Giancarlo Esposito. Onah highlighted Esposito’s iconic status and suitability for the film’s “grounded tone and vision” as decisive factors. While praising Rollins as “incredible,” Onah emphasized that the recasting was a result of the film’s creative evolution and planned reshoots.
While Captain America would have been Rollins’ highest-profile film role to date, it’s not his first foray into acting. The popular wrestler, whose real name is Colby Lopez, previously appeared in the WWE Studios film Armed Response (2017) and had a voice role in The Jetsons & WWE: Robo-WrestleMania! (2017). He also made a cameo appearance as himself in the Netflix movie Like a Boss (2020). He also guest starred on a TV show “The Daily Show” in 2015.
Rollins’ removal from Brave New World is unlikely to be the end of his acting ambitions. Given his established charisma, athleticism, and global fanbase from his WWE career, he possesses a strong foundation for further acting roles. His willingness to take on both voice acting and live-action parts demonstrates versatility. While a transition from professional wrestling to acting is not always easy, several wrestlers, such as The Rock, John Cena, and Dave Bautista, have successfully made the leap, paving the way for others like Rollins to potentially follow. The future of Rollins’s acting work remains one to watch.
