Edson Barbozais kickin’ his way onto the big screen…

The 33-year-old Brazilian mixed martial artist, UFC fighter and former Muay Thaikickboxer will star in Forrest Films’ mixed martial arts movie drama Mickey Kelley.

Barboza will star alongside fellow MMA fighters Renzo Gracie and Mickey Gall, as well actors Sean Patrick Flanery, Katrina Bowden and Dennis Quaid.

Set in 1990, the film follows Mickey Kelley (Flanery), one of the first American black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, who gets pulled away from everything he loves and into an unsanctioned MMA tournament, where his dreams of providing for his family come to a halt with a split-second decision. His life goes off the rails until years later he gets a shot at redemption.

Alex Ranarivelo will direct the pic, currently in pre-production. Flanery and Ranarivelo teamed to co-write the screenplay, from a story Flanery created.

Supporting cast includes Maurice Compte, Reno Wilsonand Currie Graham(Pompeii). 

“Forrest Films is drawn to material and stories that lead with the heart and tell a tale of perseverance through conflict and struggle. Mickey Kelley checks these boxes and even creates new ones for us that will differentiate and elevate the film in the marketplace. Sean really created a gripping story here and we’re excited to bring it to life,” says Ali Afshar, who runs Forrest Films with Forrest Lucasand Charlotte Lucas.

Barboza ranks in the Top 10  in the official Ultimate Fighting Championshiplightweight rankings.