Frank Grillo Confirms Return In "Warrior" TV Series Spin-Off: MMA Fans Rejoice!

When it comes to sports movies Warrior is probably my favorite. Watching the last half without getting emotional is an impossible task in itself. After all this time it is finally getting a spin-off series, and Frank Grillo has officially confirmed his return. Directed by Gavin O’Connor, the original 2011 film starred Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, and Nick Nolte in a gripping tale of family, addiction, and high-stakes competition. Though it underperformed at the box office, Warrior became a beloved cult classic, especially in the MMA community.

The upcoming spin-off series, titled Warriors, will be helmed by Gavin O’Connor and developed by Lionsgate TV for Paramount+. This 10-episode series introduces four new fighters, each battling personal demons while chasing glory in the Sparta tournament. UFC legend Daniel Cormier and actress Gina Rodriguez are set to star, adding serious weight to the series' credibility.

Speaking with Kristian Harloff, Frank Grillo, who played trainer Frank Campana in the original, confirmed his return. He shared:

"[Gavin O'Connor] asked me a while back, 'Do you think you'd come back? Could you come back and do a little bit?' I go, 'Yeah dude, I'll come back.’"

Grillo’s character, a seasoned MMA coach, was pivotal in guiding Edgerton’s Brendan Conlon in Warrior. In the spin-off, Grillo hinted that familiar faces will appear “sparingly, but significantly,” sparking hope that Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton might make cameos.

Despite its critical success and Nolte’s Oscar-nominated performance, Warrior struggled at the box office. Grillo attributed the film’s failure to poor marketing and the lack of star power at the time. He explained:

"Gavin got [Nick] Nolte to do this movie with two unknown guys (Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton). Nobody knew either one of them. The studio mismarketed the movie. They just didn't know how to sell it. It wasn’t presented as the powerful drama that it was — people didn’t realize they’d be getting such an emotional, hard-hitting story.”

Grillo’s perspective highlights how Warrior was much more than just an MMA film. Instead of leaning into the film’s deep themes of family, addiction, and redemption, the marketing focused solely on the fighting aspect, failing to capture the emotional weight that made it unique.

However, over the years, the film has grown in stature. Its emotional depth, combined with intense fight sequences and authentic portrayals, has earned Warrior a dedicated following. This growing legacy has paved the way for Warriors.

With a fresh narrative, new fighters, and the return of key characters, the Warrior spin-off promises to deliver the raw emotion and thrilling action that made the original a standout. MMA fans, get ready — the fight continues!

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Source: Movieweb

Photo Credit: Lionsgate