WWE superstar Cody Rhodes has taken a hit for his acting career, and the wrestling legend is set to make his film debut alongside Pamela Anderson in the upcoming Naked Gun reboot.
The WWE Universal Champion, 38, will make a cameo, according to inside sources, who have revealed he could be hypnotized in a nod to the original 1988 comedy.
The new movie – who will also star Liam Neeson71 – is based on the popular Naked Gun film franchise, starring the late great Leslie Nielsen.
‘Cody may be having a big fight with The Rock [Dwayne Johnson] “He’s in the WWE ring at the moment, but it looks like the battle will spill over to Hollywood as he’s set to star in the new Naked Gun movie,” an exclusive source told DailyMail.com.
WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes To Make Film Debut In Upcoming Naked Gun Reboot
The WWE Universal Champion, 38, landed a cameo in the new film alongside Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson, according to inside sources.
“And to make things a little easier for him, he may end up playing himself in the movie.”
The source continued: “Cody has had experience being in front of a camera outside of WWE by working on Arrow and a few other shows.
“But this is going to be a great movie and Cody is very excited to film his part and turn it into something that will be fun for him and everyone who sees it.”
Cody previously appeared on television, as Kurt Smoller on Warehouse 13 and as Derek Sampson on Arrow.
Referring to his new role, the insider added: “It may be a cameo, but his role is important and lends itself to the entire story of the film.”
Cody could be among several characters who will be hypnotized in a nod to the original film, in which businessman Vincent Ludwig, played by Ricardo Montalbán, used hypnosis to find an unknown murderer for Queen Elizabeth II.
Dan Gregor, Doug Mand and Akiva Schaffer, the trio behind the live-action film Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, wrote the script with contributions from Seth MacFarlane, Mark Hentemann and Alec Sulkin. Akiva will direct.
So far, little is known about the plot, and fans will have to be patient to see how far the filmmakers could go to lampoon Liam’s action-man image while replacing Leslie as the bumbling detective.
The film is based on the popular Naked Gun film franchise, starring the late great Leslie Nielsen, pictured with co-star Priscilla Presley in the original 1988 film.
The Naked Gun is widely considered one of the best comedy films of all time.
The late star, who died in November 2010, aged 84, was first introduced as Franklin ‘Frank’ Drebin in the ABC police comedy television series Police Squad. in 1982.
Although the show was canceled after just six episodes, it was followed six years later by the hit film series, with Leslie again as Frank alongside Priscilla Presley, George Kennedy and OJ Simpson in supporting roles in three films.
The news of Cody’s casting in the reboot comes weeks after he dethroned Roman Reigns during WrestleMania 40 to cement his status as a WWE star.
Cody, the son of the late Dusty Rhodes, one of the most successful American wrestlers of all time who never held a WWE World Championship, made his WWE debut in 2006.
He stayed with the company for a decade, before leaving frustrated with his position and creative direction.
The exciting career move comes just weeks after Cody dethroned Roman Reigns during WrestleMania 40 to cement his status as a WWE star.
Cody has delighted wrestling fans as he takes on the likes of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
In 2019 he helped found rival All Elite Wrestling alongside Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, Tony Khan and others.
He then returned to WWE in April 2022 at WrestleMania 38, defeating Seth Rollins.
On April 1, Cody confirmed reports that he had signed a new deal with WWE ahead of WrestleMania XL.
The new deal will see the wrestler’s in-ring career extend beyond his 40th birthday in June next year.
When asked why he had delayed his previously stated plans to retire at age 40, Cody explained to 8 News Now that hitting his prime nearly two decades into his career led him to reconsider.