MJF’s absence from AEW television isn’t a retreat—it’s a reinvention. The former AEW World Champion has spent the past few months diving headfirst into Hollywood, taking on major film roles while staying out of the wrestling spotlight.
According to Fightful Select, MJF has been thriving in his new environment and adapting quickly to life on set. The report revealed that his current project, Violent Night 2, is nearing completion, marking the latest in a growing list of acting credits for the Salt of the Earth.
“MJF is taking well to Hollywood… and Winnipeg.”
A few months ago, it was confirmed that MJF had landed a role in Violent Night 2 after appearing in Happy Gilmore 2 and being cast in The Iron Claw. His schedule has been intense, with the AEW star frequently traveling between wrestling tapings and Winnipeg, where Violent Night 2 was filmed, before stepping away from AEW entirely once production picked up. It was also noted that filming is almost finished but there’s still no confirmed timeline for his AEW return.
“We’re told that the filming of the movie is set to wrap relatively soon, though we’ve not yet heard when MJF is scheduled to return to AEW. AEW sources indicated that MJF has the acting bug, and has spoken about how much he’s enjoyed filming.”
His passion for acting isn’t exactly new—MJF has long been known for his charisma and theatricality—but this Hollywood run shows just how far he’s taking it. Between filming Violent Night 2, juggling prior commitments to Happy Gilmore 2, and previously dropping the CMLL World Heavyweight Title to Mistico in Mexico, MJF’s time away has been anything but quiet.
His wife, Alicia Atout, even joked about their postponed honeymoon after All Out, saying “he might be dead” and “if he’s alive, he’s gotta go shoot the movie.” But MJF’s own words after his brutal loss to Mark Briscoe revealed a deeper focus.
“I cannot come back until I look in the mirror and I no longer see a fraud, but I see a man who was once at the top of this profession. I will not come back until I am the most dangerous I have ever been.”
With filming nearly wrapped and a renewed fire to return stronger than ever, MJF’s next chapter looks set to blend Hollywood star power with the venom that made him one of AEW’s biggest names. When he finally steps back through the curtain, he may be more dangerous—and more famous—than ever before.
Do you think MJF’s Hollywood success will make him an even bigger star when he returns to AEW, or could acting eventually pull him away from wrestling for good? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
