Travis Kelce won the Super Bowl in 2023, appeared in Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, and has recently landed a starring role in Lionsgate’s new movie Loose Cannons, raising the question of what’s next for his career. Loose Cannons is an upcoming action-comedy produced by John Wick director Chad Stahelski. It won’t be Kelce’s first venture into Hollywood. He’s featured in advertisements and on SNL, documentaries, and reality TV, and will have a role in the horror-drama series Grotesquerie this September. Loose Cannons will be Kelce’s first lead role, and it might hint at a shift from Kelce’s NFL career.
Kelce wouldn’t be the first professional athlete to switch to acting. John Cena, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Dave Bautista, all professional WWE wrestlers, have become big action stars over the years. Cena’s first role was in a 2006 action movie titled The Marines. Bautista’s first major film role was in Universal’s The Man With the Iron Fists. Travis Kelce is following in their footsteps by joining the Loose Cannons cast. If Kelce’s dazzling stage presence at the Eras Tour wasn’t an indication of his career aspirations, an action movie certainly will be.
Loose Cannons’ Action Is A Major Risk For Travis Kelce As Long As He’s Playing Football
Stahelski’s Movies Are Known For Having Incredible Action
Loose Cannons follows two “wild card” cops working on a case. While little else is known about the movie, its production team gives a sense of direction. Tim Dowling’s script is reportedly influenced by buddy-cop films like Bad Boys and Rush Hour. Both movies are full of thrilling stunts to emulate, but combined with the mind of Stahelski, Cannons might be explosive. Stahelski is not only a director, but a stunt coordinator and stuntperson, famously doubling Keanu Reeves in The Matrix. Although Travis Kelce’s athletic skills would allow him to perform some stunts, high levels of action are dangerous for his football career.
Before he takes on Loose Cannons and any other movies, Kelce could follow in the footsteps of Dwayne Johnson and John Cena, and retire.
Even with protective padding, football is a dangerous sport. According to the NFL, 161 concussions were received in the regular 2023 season. Kelce was injured in 2013 and 2017. He has recovered and excelled since, but a series of action movies could lead to a career-impacting injury. Most set injuries are not fatal and range in severity, plus, the primary goal of stunt coordinators is the safety of everyone involved. Regardless, even a pulled muscle could put Kelce out for a season. Hopefully, this will not be the case, but it’s a surprising career movie anyway.
Travis Kelce Could Retire From The NFL Before Making Loose Cannons & Other Movies
What Is Next For Travis Kelce’s Football Career?
Loose Cannons isn’t the only production Kelce will be involved in. In addition to appearing in Grotesquerie, he will be hosting Amazon Prime’s Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity? this fall. According to Adam Sandler, Kelce will also appear in Happy Gilmore 2. Both roles will require a shift in Kelce’s focus. If he continues acquiring roles, the Super Bowl winner may spend more time away from the football field. Before he takes on Loose Cannons and any other movies, Kelce could follow in the footsteps of Dwayne Johnson and John Cena, and retire.
Acting is an incredibly demanding career, especially for action stars. It is demanding mentally, emotionally, and physically. In addition to stunts, many actors are required to change their bodies for a role, whether that be gaining or losing weight and muscle. Although they both lead a life of fame, the expectations of an action star are different from those of a football star. While Travis Kelce’s career as a tight-end has given him the needed physical prowess for both careers, retiring from the NFL before committing to film would be an understandable decision.
