Is Ronda Rousey In the Running For ‘Captain Marvel’? UFC Champ Hopes Roles Like ‘Road House’ Will Qualify Her For 2019 Film

Ronda Rousey hasn’t had any trouble capturing the public’s attention thanks to her undefeated mixed martial arts (MMA) record in the UFC, which she’s recently leveraged into a career in acting. Now, the warrior/star admits that her movie career thus far has all been a build up to play one pivotal character - Captain Marvel.

It was revealed in October 2014 that Marvel Studios, the people behind the connected Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) will bring the iconic comic book hero Carol Danvers to life on the big screen. After her biology is manipulated in a freak accident involving an alien visitor, Danvers is endowed with cosmic-level superpowers that make her the hero “Captain Marvel.” Her inclusion in the MCU in 2019 will mark the studio’s first female-led superhero movie ever, meaning the role is already being coveted by a slew of leading ladies in Hollywood. Unfortunately, with so many projects on the studio’s plate between now and 2019, both in film and TV, it will be a while before casting for the hero is complete.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, the 28-year-old UFC fighter revealed that she’s hoping her upcoming role in “Mile 22,” alongside one of Hollywood’s A-Listers, will give her the credibility she needs when Marvel finally goes looking for its Captain Marvel.

“I’m really looking forward to doing my first starring role opposite Mark Wahlberg,” she told the outlet. “Hopefully by the time ‘Captain Marvel’ comes around, I will have enough experience and skills in the field for them to really seriously consider me.”

This isn’t the first time that Rousey has expressed interest in the superhero role. She first mentioned the part during a Reddit AMA when a fan asked her which superhero she’d like to play in a movie. Although she said “Miss Marvel,” who is a different superhero in the Marvel universe, fans understood that she was likely speaking of Captain Marvel since she’s the only one of the two getting a movie. It wasn’t long before the star was flooded with concept art depicting her in costume, some of which she posted on her Instagram account.

Rousey’s certainly been expanding her acting chops as of late, making her screen debut in “Expendables 3,” followed by a cameo as herself in the “Entourage” movie. Most recently she duked it out with Michelle Rodriguez in the box office hit “Furious 7” and will be taking yet another leading role in the upcoming remake of “Road House.” If she keeps this pace up, Rousey will have an impressive resume when Marvel finally comes calling to find the best actress to bring Carol Danvers to life on the big screen.

Would you want to see Rousey play a superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Comment your thoughts below or tweet them to @TylerMcCarthy.