NFL star, WWE icon, ESPN poster boy. Pat McAfee has conquered all three without ever toning down his signature swagger, no matter how much ‘heat’ he draws from the haters. But McAfee was never meant to stay in one lane. The camera loves him, and he loves the spotlight right back. That’s why his next evolution shouldn’t come as a shock. If you see McAfee lighting up the big screen once again, just sit back and watch; the takeover is already underway.

Billionaire businessman Ari Emanuel, who also represents McAfee as an agent. shared in his interview with New York Magazine that he now sees McAfee for a role in a big-time movie

“I’m trying to get Pat McAfee a role in a Michael Mann movie,” said the WME and TKO Group executive chairman, recognized for his influence across the industry.

It did not take the interviewer long to guess the film for which Emanuel sees McAfee as an option.

“Yeah, Heat 2. I’m not going to tell you what part,” replied billionaire businessman Emanuel. “But he’s incredible in Pete Berg’s movie The Mosquito Bowl, and he’s really good in the Taylor Sheridan show with Stallone, Tulsa King, so I’m trying to get him into this thing.”

By now, “Heat” has become an emotion for the American audience. Directed by Mann, it is celebrated as much for its artistry as its action, bringing together some of the most acclaimed American actors to portray intensely driven professionals on opposite sides of the law. The first part starred legends like Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and Val Kilmer. The sequel to the cult classic was announced a few years ago, and actors like Leonardo DiCaprio, Christian Bale, Adam Driver, and others will be part of it.

Michael Mann’s 1995 masterpiece Heat is widely celebrated as one of the greatest heist thrillers in cinema history. Now, decades after the original classic redefined the genre, its official second chapter is generating massive buzz across Hollywood. The story first returned in 2022 as a bestselling novel co-written by Mann and thriller author Meg Gardiner, published by HarperCollins. Crafted as both a high-stakes prequel and an explosive sequel, it deepens the gritty universe fans have obsessed over for years. While the original film was backed by Warner Bros., Heat 2 has officially found its new home at Amazon MGM Studios, with cameras reportedly set to roll this November.

Unlocking the doors to a project of this magnitude takes serious clout, and that’s where agent-turned-mogul Ari Emanuel steps in. Emanuel completely redefined what it meant to be a Hollywood power broker, building an elite client roster that features juggernauts like Martin Scorsese and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Now, Pat McAfee has joined that exclusive inner circle.

McAfee’s connection with Emanuel might stem from the fact that he is a notable wrestling fan and even used to cover the WWE for ESPN for a while. Emanuel is the CEO of TKO Group Holdings, which owns the UFC and WWE, and now reps McAfee. He is serious about building an acting career for the former punter and now media star.

Moreover, the College GameDay host has already made his acting debut. He will be seen in The Mosquito Bowl, which will hit theaters on October 30. Reportedly, he is playing a US Marine drill instructor. McAfee will also star as a guest in the Sylvester Stallone-led series, Tulsa King.

“… I’ve taken on this experiment called ‘Pat McAfee as an actor,’” Emanuel said on The Pat McAfee Show. “I mean, this guy just finished Tulsa King — a bunch of episodes.”

“It was a mind blowing honor to be asked to represent the toughest of the tough and the greatest of the great,” he said on Instagram about his gig in The Mosquito Bowl.

In fact, Emanuel’s vision for the former NFL punter goes far beyond minor cameo roles. Bloomberg reported earlier this year that Emanuel, whose heavyweight roster also boasts comedic icons like Seth MacFarlane and Larry David, has set an audacious target for his new client: transforming Pat McAfee into “the next Sylvester Stallone.”

Cherry on top? McAfee also received advice on acting in war movies from none other than Tom Cruise, who told him just “be present.”

McAfee is perhaps more famous as a media personality now than he was as a punter for the Indianapolis Colts. His portfolio has increased massively since he began working for ESPN and has pretty much become the face of the network. Hosting his eponymous show, College GameDay, and Monday Night Countdown from this year onwards, McAfee’s popularity is only growing.