Randy Couture:
Randy’s films get an average of 40% positive reviews. Both Invincible (http://bit.ly/92jazo) and Redbelt (http://bit.ly/aMhoeL) helped Randy’s average, but most of the movies went straight to DVD, which helps in that no one reviewed them. Randy seems more comfortable than most MMA stars on the silver screen. Couture’s abilities are even apparent in bit parts such as his role as a prisoner in the movie Big Stan.
Consequently, Randy seems to be on a path to bigger roles in higher-quality production films, including Sylvester Stallone’s movie “The Expendables” (http://bit.ly/9i29Mj) where he plays the intelligent mercenary named Toll Road.
Next to Quinton Jackson’s role in the A-team, no MMA star has received a better role than Couture in the Expendables. With the star power involved, and the amount of hype the movie has received, it is expected to do well in the box office. Couture is working with such action film heavyweights as Jason Statham, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Dolph Lundgren, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. It is set to be released on August 13th, 2010. Even Stallone has been touting Couture’s work on Late Night with David Letterman, so one would expect Randy’s performance to be at least watchable.
1. The Expendables (2010)
— a. Character: Toll Road
— b. No reviews
2. The Scorpion King: Rise of a Warrior (2008)
— a. Character: Sargon
— b. Average positive review: 25%
3. Redbelt (2008)
— a. Character: Dylan Flynn
— b. Average positive review: 67%
4. Big Stan (2007)
— a. Character: Carnahan
— b. Average positive review: 13%
5. Invincible (2006)
— a. Character: ‘Toruci’ Player #1
— b. Average positive review: 71%
6. Today You Die (2005)
— a. Character: Vincent’s Bodyguard #1
— b. No reviews
7. No Rules (2005)
— a. Character: Mason
— b. No reviews
8. Cradle 2 the Grave (2003)
— a. Character: Fighter #8
— b. Average positive review: 26%
Oleg Taktarov:
Oleg parleyed his UFC stardom, and hardened looks into a pretty impressive acting career – appearing in over 30 films and TV shows. He is probably one the most successful Russians in Hollywood. Taktarov’s film credits include roles in “Air Force One”, “Rollerball”, “Bad Boys 2”, “Miami Vice”, “We Own the Night”, and “Righteous Kill” alongside Robert DeNiro and this summer’s hit “Predators” where he plays “Nikolai” (http://bit.ly/a09GDw). Oleg’s movies run the gambit including romantic comedies, horror, and action. As with most MMA stars, his movies mainly bypass the theaters, right to DVD. Oleg’s best movie was probably Air Force One, where 80% of critics gave it a favorable review. On average though, Oleg movies garner 36% favorable responses, typical of other MMA stars.
In 1998, Oleg started studying acting at L.A. Playhouse West Theatrical College and it has paid off. In 2001, he played the delusional bad guy in the movie 15 minutes;
his performance was believable, but nothing to write home about. In Russia he played the lead in the Russian crime blockbuster Montana and was generally appreciated by the critics there. His recent performance in the summer blockbuster Predators was not fantastic, but it will not sacrifice his career.
1. The Tower (2010) (in production)
— a. Character: Vadim
— b. No reviews
2. Ultimate Champion (2010) (completed)
— a. Character: Blade
— b. No reviews
3. Predators (2010)
— a. Character: Nikolai
— b. Average positive review: 63%
4. Viy. Vozvrashchenie (2010)
— a. Character: Gritsko
— b. No reviews
5. The Way (2009)
— a. Character: Polkovnik Dilov
— b. No reviews
6. By the Will of Chingis Khan (2009)
— a. Character: Kuchulun Khan
7. Righteous Kill (2008)
— a. Character: Yevgeny Mugalat
— b. Average positive review: 20%
8. Montana (2008)
— a. Character: Nikolai
— b. No reviews
9. Rockaway (2007)
— a. Character: Ivan
— b. No reviews
10. The Death and Life of Bobby Z (2007)
— a. Character: Oleg
— b. Average positive review: 25%
11. We Own the Night (2007)
— a. Character: Pavel Lubyarsky
— b. Average positive review: 57%
12. Blizhniy Boy: The Ultimate Fighter (2007)
— a. Character: No credit
— b. No reviews
13. Miami Vice (2006)
— a. Character: Russian Security
— b. Average positive review: 47%
14. Sdvig (2006)
— a. Character: Fetisov
— b. No reviews
15. “Okhota na izyubrya” (2005) TV mini-series
— a. Character: Kamaz
16. Law of Corruption (2005)
— a. Character: Skala
— b. No reviews
17. Call Me Genie (2005)
— a. Character: Ufa
— b. No reviews
18. National Treasure (2004)
— a. Character: Shippen
— b. Average positive review: 45%
19. “Alias” (1 episode, 2003)
— a. Character: Gordei Volkov
20. Bad Boys II (2003)
— a. Character: Josef
— b. Average positive review: 24%
21. 44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shoot-Out (2003) (TV)
— a. Character: Emil Matasareanu
22. Rollerball (2002)
— a. Character: Denekin
— b. Average positive review: 4%
23. Red Serpent (2002)
— a. Character: Sergei
— b. No reviews
24. The Quickie (2001)
— a. Character: Boris
— b. Average positive review: 0%
25. My Friend’s Love Affair (2001)
— a. Character: Boris
— b. No reviews
26. 15 Minutes (2001)
— a. Character: Oleg Razgul
— b. Average positive review: 32%
27. Counter Measures (1999)
— a. Character: Engineer Dimitri
— b. No reviews
28. “Combate Mortal” (1999) TV series
— a. Character: Oleg Taktarov
29. Air Force One (1997)
— a. Character: Prison Guard #2
— b. Average positive review: 80%
30. “JAG” (1 episode, 1997)
— a. Character: Russian Officer
31. Absolute Force (1997)
— a. Character: Agent Borris Checkniov
— b. No reviews
32. Total Force (1997)
— a. Character: Boris
— b. No reviews
