Woooo! Wrestling legend Ric Flair’s life and career is ripe for the biopic treatment, perhaps more so than even the likes of Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant. And the man himself has an idea of who could play him: Bradley Cooper.
In a recent episode of his podcast To Be The Man (taken from one of his catchphrases, “To be the man, you gotta beat the man!”), Ric Flair discussed an upcoming biopic and how Bradley Cooper has at the very least been approached to play the Nature Boy. “I mean, I’ve heard it officially, but it’s not in place. So, ladies and gentlemen, it’s not true that he’s playing Ric Flair. I’ve heard they’ve talked to him, that’s it. Bradley Cooper is not playing me in a movie, yet. I hope he does.”
While Ric Flair did work to quell any rumors, he and co-host Conrad Thompson (who also co-host the nitty-gritty industry podcast Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard) also mentioned that Chris Pratt and Sebastian Stan had also circled the role. We know they have the acting chops, but can they deliver the chops?
Ric Flair’s career is a legendary one. A key sports entertainer across the major wrestling promotions–WWF/WWE, WCW and NWA–Flair went on to be a 16-time world champion, a two-time WWE Hall of Famer and the most stylin’, profilin’ pro wrestler to ever step inside the squared circle. Ric Flair’s life was the subject of the fantastic 30 for 30 documentary Nature Boy. He officially retired earlier this year.
Flair’s daughter, Charlotte, was in talks to star in a remake of Walking Tall, itself already remade with another wrestling legend, The Rock. Interestingly, Ric Flair mentioned two years ago that the biopic would be produced by The Rock’s Seven Bucks Productions.
What do you think about Bradley Cooper potentially playing Ric Flair in a biopic? Who would be the best choice?