McIntyre Chooses Acting
Drew McIntyre's WWE Return Delayed as Hollywood Career and New Agency Deal Take Priority
Anonymous
Key Points
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PWInsider’s Mike Johnson directly rejected the SummerSlam return chatter, saying the rumors were “completely inaccurate as there has been nothing on the table for McIntyre creatively, and for good reason.”
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In the Highlander reboot, McIntyre isn’t just generally described as a cast member—he plays Angus MacLeod, “the brother of Henry Cavill’s Connor MacLeod,” after filming in Scotland.
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Deadline also frames The Last Druid’s placement in the wider franchise timeline: the film is set “a quarter century after Gladiator.” It’s directed by William Eubank and written by Eubank, Phil Gawthorne, and Carlyle Eubank.
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McIntyre’s Hollywood push isn’t only project-based: he “signed with talent agency Paradigm in July 2024,” which also represents wrestlers including Tiffany Stratton, CM Punk, and Damian Priest.
Drew McIntyre has not appeared on WWE television since losing to Jacob Fatu at WrestleMania 42, and a new report says he will stay away for the foreseeable future. PWInsider Mike Johnson shot down rumors of a SummerSlam return, saying they were "completely inaccurate as there has been nothing on the table for McIntyre creatively, and for good reason."
The reason is Hollywood. Deadline reported on June 10 that McIntyre has joined Russell Crowe in The Last Druid, a historical action drama set to film in Spain this summer. That project comes on the heels of his role in the Highlander reboot, where he plays Angus MacLeod — the brother of Henry Cavill's Connor MacLeod.
McIntyre Joins Russell Crowe in Historical Epic
The Last Druid is set a quarter century after Gladiator. Russell Crowe plays a peaceful Celtic elder who is forced to take up arms to protect his people after a Roman Emperor discovers a hidden Druid stronghold in Caledonia. William Eubank, who co-wrote the script with Phil Gawthorne and Carlyle Eubank, will direct the film on location in Spain.
McIntyre's specific character has not been revealed. The ensemble cast includes Rose Leslie, Stacy Clausen, Pablo Derqui, Andreas Pietschmann, Daniel Zovatto, and Tennyson Crowe, according to Deadline. Principal photography is expected to run through the summer of 2026.
SummerSlam Return Rumors Were Flat-Out Wrong
Social media speculation in May 2026 painted McIntyre as a "lock" to return at SummerSlam and challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship. PWInsider's Mike Johnson put a quick end to that. He said there is nothing on the table for McIntyre creatively, and that the situation exists "for good reason" — meaning WWE is aware of his filming commitments.
Bodyslam.net and Wrestling Inc both confirmed the same picture: McIntyre is not part of WWE's near-term creative plans. His loss to Jacob Fatu at WrestleMania 42 served as a storyline exit point. It has now kept him off television for more than 70 days.
Highlander Role Put McIntyre on Hollywood's Map
McIntyre's acting push did not start with The Last Druid. He filmed the Highlander reboot in Scotland, landing the role of Angus MacLeod alongside Henry Cavill. That project placed him inside a major franchise as a key supporting player — a significant step up from his earlier small role in Dave Bautista's 2024 action comedy The Killer's Game, according to Cage Side Seats.
In July 2024, McIntyre signed with talent agency Paradigm. The agency also represents WWE stars Tiffany Stratton, CM Punk, and Damian Priest. That signing signaled a long-term plan to build a career on both sides of the camera, not just a one-off film appearance.
WWE Stands to Gain From a Longer Absence
McIntyre's absence has a silver lining for WWE. Jacob Fatu, who beat McIntyre clean at WrestleMania 42, has used the win to cement his spot as a top heel on the roster. Keeping McIntyre off television prevents overexposure and sets up a bigger return moment, a strategy WWE has used before with part-time stars like Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns.
If The Last Druid follows a standard three-to-four month filming schedule, McIntyre is unlikely to return before Survivor Series in November 2026. When he does come back, his credits will include two major film franchises and a co-starring role with an Academy Award winner — a far stronger profile than when he left.
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