Actor Kevin James' New MMA Film Has UFC's Blessing

Hailing from the hit TV show, King of Queens, actor Kevin James’ latest venture is a film revolving around music and mixed martial arts.  To add support and credibility to the upcoming project, Ultimate Fighting Championship president, Dana White, gave his consent to use the UFC brand in the movie, slated for release in 2012.

According to MMAWeekly’s Damon Martin, Here Comes The Boom is about James’ character, Scott Voss, a high school science teacher, who moonlights as an MMA fighter, in order to save the school’s financially struggling music program.

Along with the comedian, the movie also stars Salma Hayek and Henry Winkler.  Also casted for this comedy, as denoted on IMDB.com, are UFC notables:  commentator Joe Rogan, ring announcer Bruce Buffer, ring girl Arianny Celeste and former champion Bas Rutten.

Until now, Zuffa LLC, owner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship promotion, has never given anyone the rights to use their trademarked name, since obtaining the UFC in 2001.  Kevin James, a longtime mixed martial arts fan, called White directly for permission when production began.

“I like Kevin and he called me up and he’s passionate about the sport, he wanted to do this movie. We haven’t given the rights to anybody,” White explains. “(In the movie) it’s UFC, we gave him the rights to it.”

Though Dana White was asked to have a role the film, the UFC president laughingly declined.

“They asked me.  I’m no actor.  No way in hell I would do that,” expressed Dana.

Here Comes The Boom is currently in production and scheduled to be released by summer of 2012.  The film was written by Kevin James, Rock Reuben and Allan Loeb, and directed by Frank Coraci.

ROLAND RISO
MMAIDIOT.COM

Roland Riso is a contributing writer for Bleacher Report.  All quotes were obtained from MMAWeekly.com.