Latest news with #HAVOC
USA Today
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Michelle Waterson-Gomez channeling 'tug' to make UFC return into analyst, acting careers
Michelle Waterson-Gomez channeling 'tug' to make UFC return into analyst, acting careers Years of evidence proves the transition from active UFC fighter into retirement life is more difficult than seamless for the majority of athletes. Michelle Waterson-Gomez is in the midst of that struggle right now. After hanging up her gloves following a loss at UFC 313 in June, longtime octagon veteran and women's MMA pioneer Waterson-Gomez (18-13 MMA, 6-9 UFC) is going through a period of significant change. She has already found more post-career success than a lot of others who exit the sport, but she wouldn't claim it's been simple. "Anyone that tells you turning the page is easy – it's easier said than done," Waterson-Gomez told MMA Junkie. "I dedicated 18 years of my life to being a professional athlete, and now I have to switch gears and understand how to apply the discipline I had physically, the mental discipline, into a different type of hustle. I'm blessed and we're doing a lot of things, but right now, it's me having to prove myself all over again in these different arenas." Fortunately for Waterson-Gomez, the different arenas she has gravitated toward don't fall far from where she is comfortable. She is a desk analyst on UFC broadcasts with increasing regularity, and also added a big-time acting credit to her acting resume in Tom Hardy's HAVOC, which recently released on Netflix and for a stretch occupied the No. 1 spot for popular viewed movies. The role of analyst is something Waterson-Gomez is strongly embracing, she said. However, it's also the part of her new workload that generates the most temptation to return to competition. Waterson-Gomez, 39, only sees one place that she would ever fight MMA again, but she is doing her best to resist that urge and continue to use her plethora of experience in the sport to help educate viewers watching from home. "Even now watching the fights, having to call a fight (like Gillian Robertson vs. Marina Rodriguez at UFC n ESPN 67), where I fought both of these girls, it kind of gets my blood boiling and it makes me want to jump back in there," Waterson-Gomez said. "Especially hearing them on the mic and stuff, it's just like you want to get back in there. Once an athlete always an athlete, and it's hard to separate yourself from that, and it's very easy to fall back into getting into that routine because it's what you're used to. "It tugs at me all the time. As far as MMA goes, for me the UFC is the top of the top and if I were to ever go back it would be with the UFC. … I'm understanding now it's just that dedication of time. If I want to be great at this chapter, I have to dedicate my time to that. If I want to be a great analyst, if I want to be a great actor I have to dedicate just as much time to that as I did fighting." During her fighting career, Waterson-Gomez established a reputation as one of the most widely-beloved people in the industry. She always fought with heart, was not attached to any major controversies, and was an overall positive role model and ambassador for the sport. It's Waterson-Gomez's natural instinct to see the best or the most positive out of any situation or person, and although she understands that can't always be the reality when it comes to offering her opinions on the desk, that's the underlying outlook of how she wants to serve the fans. "The hardest part for me is when I talk about fights, I'm usually talking about fights with my friends and with my teammates, so it's not as PG," Waterson-Gomez said. "Trying to clean that up and tighten that up is hard for me, then also it's hard for me to cast judgement or analyze a fighter before I get to see them fight. That was something I always hated a fighter, seeing other people that weren't stepping into the octagon judge me and tell me what I was going to do stepping into the octagon. You don't know what I'm doing to do. You weren't with me when I'm training. "A lot of times when the fighters do interviews, a lot of when they are doing, if it's 100 percent of what they are doing, they are probably telling the reporter of the journalist 20 percent of what they are going to do. They are making their own stories up based off statistics, and I never wanted to box a fighter into what their capacity was in a statistic, but that's what I have to do. We have to analyze a fighter based off what we see, so wrapping my head around that and trying to do it in a way where I'm not disrespecting the fighters and more kind of enjoying both fighters and their strengths and trying to break down the fight in a way where it's the most respectful to both fighters." To hear more from Waterson-Gomez, check out her complete appearance on "The Bohnfire" podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn above.
Business News Wales
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Business News Wales
Biggest Feature Film Shot Entirely in Wales Is Released
The biggest feature film to be shot entirely in Wales has been released on Netflix. HAVOC, starring Tom Hardy and written/directed by Welsh-born Gareth Evans (The Raid, Apostle, Gangs of London) follows a deal gone wrong and a bruised detective having to fight his way through a criminal underworld to rescue a politician's estranged son. The production was shot at Great Point Studios in Cardiff, Dragon Studios in Bridgend and on location across South Wales. The drama is the latest in a long line of major TV and film productions filmed in Wales with Welsh Government backing through Creative Wales: from HBO's House of the Dragon, to Amazon's recently announced Young Sherlock and the much-acclaimed recent cinematic release Mr Burton. The £28.6 million of production funding Creative Wales has invested so far in the screen sector is projected to bring an additional £342 million of additional spend into the Welsh economy, meaning for every £1 it has invested, Creative Wales has seen nearly £12 invested back in the Welsh economy. This investment has delivered 420 trainee placements and apprenticeships, ensuring a thriving pipeline of skilled professionals. Wales has become one of Netflix's key production hubs, and has been the filming location for iconic shows like the hit Netfix original Sex Education which was shot at various locations across South Wales over four seasons. With Creative Wales support the teen comedy drama was able to create a significant amount of job opportunities locally, as well as over 60 trainee and apprenticeship positions for young Welsh creatives, many of whom went on to secure full time roles. An economic impact report recently published by Netflix revealed that its productions in Wales have contributed over £200 million to the UK economy since 2020, supporting over 500 businesses from all over Wales in that time. Netflix has ensured that HAVOC will be available to view with Welsh-language subtitles, much like The Adam Project starring Ryan Reynolds and Dal Y Mellt which was the first S4C Welsh-language drama picked up by Netflix. Anna Mallet, Vice President of Production, UK, Netflix, said: 'From Sex Education to The Crown, and now to HAVOC, some of our most beloved titles were filmed or produced in Wales. Blessed with incredible creative talent and beautiful natural landscapes, Wales is an amazing place to make entertainment, so Netflix is delighted that our Welsh productions can continue to create such enduring cultural and economic opportunities.' Culture Minister, Jack Sargeant, said: 'We are immensely proud of our Welsh creative industries, which employ over 35,000 talented individuals, and the world-class infrastructure we have in place for film and TV productions. We are proud to work closely with Netflix, HBO, Amazon and others to bring major productions to Wales. Collaborations like this create jobs, training opportunities and major spend within our economy and are a global platform to showcase everything we offer as a nation.'
Wales Online
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Netflix's Havoc filming locations: Where was Tom Hardy's Welsh-made action movie made
Netflix's Havoc filming locations: Where was Tom Hardy's Welsh-made action movie made Tom Hardy's latest movie Havoc was made and filmed in Wales Hardy in Havoc (Image: Netflix ) Tom Hardy's and Netflix's latest movie, Havoc, which is packed full of action was actually filmed in Wales. While the film is set in a fictional American city, many filming locations in Wales were used to create the action thriller. Releasing in the UK on Netflix on Friday, April 25 filming for the movie actually finished in 2021. Main star Tom Hardy, who is playing Walker and known for his roles in Peaky Blinders and the Venom films, was spotted having a great time in Wales from Barry to Swansea during filming. Coming from Welsh director Gareth Evans, Havoc is one of the biggest films ever to be produced in Wales and will also star Forest Whitaker. Article continues below Walker, played by Tom, is a bruised detective who must fight his way through a criminal underworld to rescue a politician's estranged son after a drug deal goes awry while untangling his city's dark web of conspiracy and corruption. In a nod to its Welsh roots, Netflix has ensured that HAVOC will be available to view with Welsh-language subtitles, much like The Adam Project starring Ryan Reynolds and Dal Y Mellt which was the first S4C Welsh-language drama picked up by Netflix. Anna Mallet, Vice President of Production, UK, Netflix, said: 'From Sex Education to The Crown, and now to HAVOC, some of our most beloved titles were filmed or produced in Wales. Blessed with incredible creative talent and beautiful natural landscapes, Wales is an amazing place to make entertainment, so Netflix is delighted that our Welsh productions can continue to create such enduring cultural and economic opportunities.' HAVOC is the latest in a long line of major TV and film productions filmed in Wales thanks to Welsh Government backing through Creative Wales: from HBO's House of the Dragon, to Amazon's recently announced Young Sherlock and the much-acclaimed recent cinematic release Mr Burton. The £28.6 million of production funding Creative Wales has invested so far in the screen sector is projected to bring an additional £342 million of additional spend into the Welsh economy, meaning for every £1 it has invested, Creative Wales has seen nearly £12 invested back in the Welsh economy. This investment has delivered 420 trainee placements and apprenticeships, ensuring a thriving pipeline of skilled professionals. Here are some of the Welsh filming locations used. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . Cardiff Home to many other great productions, including Doctor Who and Industry, is not surprising the Welsh capital was used for Havoc. Seren Stiwdios, the iconic Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay, AB Ports, Trade Street and Crockherbtown Lane were all used. Bute Street was transformed into an American Boulevard, with a foot of snow. Photographs from the set show fake snow and police cars parked along the street. Bute Street was transformed (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Swansea The second biggest city in Wales, Swansea, was also used in Havoc. Exact locations include Brangwyn Hall - often used for filming including in recent dramas Dope Girls and Until I Kill You - Kon-Tiki Bar, The Strand, Proud Mary and Evening Post Cambrian House. Tom with a fan outside Brangwyn Hall (Image: Christopher Beckers ) Swansea University was also used and the Bay Campus was the scene where Forest's character, Lawrence Beaumont, gets attacked in the car. Article continues below Other Other locations in south Wales were used including Dragon Studios and Candleston Woods in Bridgend and residential street, Lynmouth Drive in Sully. Tom was also spotted having a fab time at Barry Island, so maybe called in at the seaside hotspot after filming in Sully. Baglan Bay Train in Port Talbot was used to film the climax of the film.
Wales Online
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Tom Hardy's new film on Netflix, Havoc, has Welsh subtitles
Tom Hardy's new film on Netflix, Havoc, has Welsh subtitles Netflix's new action thriller which was filmed in Wales will have Welsh subtitles. Tom Hardy as his character Walker in upcoming film HAVOC (Image: Courtesy of Netflix © 2024 ) Tom Hardy's new Netflix action-thriller HAVOC is reportedly the largest feature film ever to be shot entirely in Wales. It was produced with the support of Creative Wales and even took place at Great Point Studios in Cardiff, Dragon Studios in Bridgend, and various locations across South Wales. It was released on Netflix today (Friday, April 25) and due to being predominantly filmed it Wales, it even has the option of Welsh subtitles. This follows previous Welsh-subtitled productions on Netflix including Red Notice and The Adam Project featuring Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds. The film stars action hunk Tom Hardy and is written and directed by Welsh-born Gareth Evans, known for his work on The Raid, Apostle, and Gangs of London. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . Article continues below The plot follows a deal gone wrong and a battered detective who must navigate through a criminal underworld to rescue a politician's estranged son. You can read our review, here. A recently published economic impact report from Netflix reveals that its productions in Wales have contributed more than £200 million to the UK economy since 2020, supporting over 500 businesses throughout Wales during this period. Read more here. Wales has emerged as one of Netflix's key production hubs, hosting the filming of iconic shows like the hit Netflix original Sex Education, which was filmed at various locations across South Wales over four highly successful seasons. Anna Mallet, Vice President of Production, UK, Netflix, praised Wales's contribution to global entertainment: "From Sex Education to The Crown, and now to HAVOC, some of our most beloved titles were filmed or produced in Wales. "Blessed with incredible creative talent and beautiful natural landscapes, Wales is an amazing place to make entertainment, so Netflix is delighted that our Welsh productions can continue to create such enduring cultural and economic opportunities." Thanks to the support of Creative Wales, Sex Education created a significant number of local job opportunities, as well as over 60 trainee and apprenticeship positions for young Welsh creatives, many of whom have since secured full-time roles. HAVOC joins a prestigious lineup of major TV and film ventures shot in Wales, benefitting from the support of Creative Wales, an arm of the Welsh Government. From HBO's sprawling epic House of the Dragon to Amazon's freshly revealed Young Sherlock, and the widely celebrated theatrical release Mr Burton, Wales continues to be a hub for screen production. Creative Wales has channelled £28.6 million into production funding within the screen sector, predicting a whopping £342 million boost to the Welsh economy as a result. This impressive return indicates that for every £1 spent by Creative Wales, nearly £12 is reinvested locally. Apart from economic growth, the investment has also cultivated talent through 420 trainee placements and apprenticeships, sustaining a wellspring of industry expertise. Culture Minister Jack Sargeant remarked: "We are immensely proud of our Welsh creative industries, which employ over 35,000 talented individuals, and the world-class infrastructure we have in place for film and TV productions. "We are proud to work closely with Netflix, HBO, Amazon and others to bring major productions to Wales. Collaborations like this create jobs, training opportunities and major spend within our economy and are a global platform to showcase everything we offer as a nation." You can now watch HAVOC on Netflix here. Article continues below
