Miocic films role in Willis action movie

Stipe Miocic is no stranger to the big stage.

Now the UFC heavyweight champion is getting a taste of the big screen.

Miocic, a North graduate, filmed a small role for the upcoming Bruce Willis movie, “Act of Violence,” which began shooting this week in downtown Cleveland.

The film is about vigilante brothers who infiltrate a human trafficking ring to save a loved one. Willis plays a detective. The film is slated for a 2017 release.

Miocic, who met Willis during filming, said he shot his scene March 27 and 28 near Cleveland State University. He plays a “muscle-bound thug,” Miocic said.

A friend of Miocic who has ties to the film’s production staff helped him land the role.

“They told him they were still looking for someone for that role, and he said, ‘You know, the UFC heavyweight champion lives here in Cleveland.’ They said, ‘Awesome, let’s make it happen,’ ” Miocic said after a March 30 workout at Strong Style in Valley View.

Miocic’s scene has him running up a flight of stairs to a building’s rooftop, where he has a fight with Willis’ stuntman.

Miocic and the stuntman throw a few punches before Miocic’s character falls off the rooftop. Miocic said he has three lines in the scene.

In his two days of filming, Miocic said he learned the nuances and secrets of filming a fight scene.

“It’s really simple,” he said. “You just have to know how to cover your face.”

Miocic said a nice perk of his two days of work for “Act of Violence” is he will receive a Screen Actors Guild card. He expects his role of “muscle-bound thug” to be credited.

Miocic said he enjoyed the experience, and wouldn’t rule out working on future films if he’s approached.

“Yeah definitely,” Miocic said. “I’ll play the bad guy every day of the week.”

Miocic’s next title defense is May 13 at UFC 211 in Dallas against No. 4-ranked heavyweight Junior dos Santos.