If you can believe the UK’s notoriously gossipy Sun newspaper, UFC light-heavyweight attraction Quinton Jackson has just been cast in the “A-Team” reboot from director Joe Carnahan (“Smokin’ Aces”) and writer Michael Brandt (“Wanted”). As of this writing, Stephen J. Cannell Productions, a participating producer on the film, could not confirm the news to ESPN.com.
This is great news for Jackson, a legitimately charismatic fighter with a strong personality that was earmarked for stardom in the states while still a fixture on Japan’s PRIDE circuit. It’s less exciting for fans that may now begin fretting that Jackson will favor slipping fake punches for more money than he gets eating real ones. It also seemingly complicates the fight with Rashad Evans, which was slated for December 12 in Memphis: shooting on the movie is scheduled to begin in September, and that could chew up some of Jackson’s available training time in the fall.
If he decides to postpone that bout, we’re looking at 12 weeks of hype on “The Ultimate Fighter” -- where Jackson and Evans appear as sniping coaches -- for no immediate payoff.
Update: According to sources, Jackson has not been officially cast, but remains one of several names in the running. An announcement is expected shortly.