Courtesy Randy Couture is enjoying success as a UFC champion, a movie star and with his own line of casual wear, conveniently named ‘Xtreme Couture.’ He also founded the Xtreme Couture GI Foundation to raise money for wounded veterans.

Don’t be fooled by its title. “The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior” is actually a prequel to the original 2002 flick, “The Scorpion King,” that catapulted Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson into movie stardom. The latest version chronicles The Rock’s character as the young Mathayus (played by Michael Copon) and the events that molded his life before he became The Scorpion King. Mathayus’ biggest rival is the evil Sargon, played by the multitasking Randy Couture.

Couture is an Ultimate Fight Club Hall of Famer, designer of Xtreme Couture apparel and former NCAA wrestling All-American at Oklahoma State. “The Scorpion King 2” marks his sixth — and biggest — cinematic role in his brief acting career. Couture phoned 210SA from New York, hyping the DVDs in-store release on Tuesday, Aug. 19:

How does your role in “The Scorpion King 2” compare to some of your other acting stints?

It’s the first time I’ve been the lead bad guy. And I haven’t done any films where the sets and costumes were anything like this one.

What kind of challenges either physically, mentally or training-wise, did you encounter in preparing for the movie and doing your own stunts?

The physical stuff was an adjustment from real fighting technique to fighting for the camera and not trying to kill your partners or co-workers. For me, it was a matter of being comfortable with the character and finding a way to relate to him. A big part of acting is not acting, but learning to relate to the character.

For those who have never been on the set of a movie, describe what it was like filming this one, particularly in South Africa?

Cape Town is a very cool town. It’s Westernized. We’d spend 12- to-14-hour days, and you’ve gotta be prepared. The focus and discipline you need in fighting helped me take that to acting.

You’ve reached the pinnacle of Ultimate Fighting as a multiple champion, including winning a title after coming out of retirement last year, and you’re a Hall of Famer. How will you look back on your 10-year career?

It was an amazing ride for me. I can’t think of anything I’d change. Even the fights that I lost made me a better person and athlete.

Your biography, “Becoming the Natural: My Life In and Out of the Cage,” hit stores July 22. For the non-UFC fan who might never have heard of Randy Couture before this movie’s release, what reasons would you give them to read it?

It’s a positive book at overcoming adversity that life throws at all of us. It highlights the road to fighting that I’ve traveled.

Which modern-day, real-life personality reminds you of Sargon (Couture’s character in “Scorpion King 2”) and why?

(Laughing). That’s funny. That’s real funny. You’re the first person to make an analogy to real life. I’d have to say (UFC president) Dana White has a lot of power in his position. Similar haircut, too.

Jay Nanda | 210SA contributor
 

The RUNDOWN
What: “The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior”
When: DVD in stores Tuesday, Aug. 19
Price: $29.98 (Blu-Ray $39.98)
Run time: 109 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for violence and sexual content
Bonus material: Deleted scenes, gag reel, making of, Randy Couture discusses becoming Sargon, visual effects and more