Scott Adkins Has Made His Directorial Debut

The veteran actor is transitioning behind the camera to lead the production of the upcoming MMA film Brawler.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts

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Actor Scott Adkins has begun his directorial debut with the MMA-themed action film Brawler, marking a significant career shift after two decades. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Scott Adkins has officially made his directorial debut with the action thriller film Brawler. He will also star in the project alongside Lewis Tan, Larry Lamb, and Emily Bennett.

Why it matters

Adkins opted to move into directing after a twenty-year acting career because the script, written by Matt Venne, immediately gripped him. This move signifies a major professional transition for the long-time performer.

Adkins brings 20 years of acting experience to this directorial debut. The film is currently in the post-production grading phase.

The players

Scott Adkins

He is an English actor born in Sutton Coldfield who is transitioning into directing after two decades in the industry.

Lewis Tan

He is an actor who is slated to star alongside Scott Adkins in the film Brawler.

Matt Venne

He is the screenwriter responsible for penning the script for the action thriller Brawler.

Larry Lamb

He is a cast member featured in the upcoming production of Brawler.

Emily Bennett

She is an actress who stars in the film Brawler.

The details

Scott Adkins plays a disgraced MMA champion in the film, which also features Lewis Tan, Larry Lamb, and Emily Bennett. Producers Ben Jacques and Craig Baumgarten are overseeing the production as the team moves through the final grading phase.

Timeline

  1. September 30, 2026: The production news was finalized and shared.

Season Trajectory

This move marks a shift in Adkins' career trajectory as he balances his established reputation as a leading action star with new responsibilities as a filmmaker. His future film slate includes projects like Skyline: Warpath, Bedlam, and Deadlocked alongside Lewis Tan.

Fans of Adkins' previous work in MMA-themed roles can expect a tonal shift in this project given his direct creative oversight. The production status confirms the film has progressed past filming and is currently in the final grading phase before eventual release.

The takeaway

Adkins' debut illustrates the growing trend of veteran action performers leveraging their industry experience to take greater control of their creative projects. Aspiring filmmakers can note his approach of selecting scripts that resonate deeply with their personal professional history.

Further reading

For more on the latest developments in the sport and associated media, visit /sports/mixed-martial-arts/.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Movieweb.

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Would you be interested in watching a film directed by and starring Scott Adkins?