CM Punk recently shared the reasons behind his ongoing attraction to villainous roles, both in professional wrestling and in his growing film career. In discussing his latest performances, the former WWE Champion highlighted what makes CM Punk villain roles so compelling on screen and in the ring.
Branching Into Acting and Embracing Antagonists
Punk has been steadily expanding his presence in entertainment, balancing wrestling with acting projects across movies and television. His latest voice role is in Zootopia 2, portraying one of the zebra buddy cops named Zebro Zebrowski, with fellow wrestling star Roman Reigns voicing Zebro Zebraxton. Soon, audiences will see Punk in Night Patrol, a film set for release on Friday, January 16, where he again steps into a villain’s shoes—a part he’s especially comfortable playing.
Why Villain Roles Appeal to Punk
In a conversation with ComicBookMovie.com, Punk gave insight into what draws him to portray antagonists and why those roles are so engaging for him.
“It’s one of those where you’re looking around like, I would do this for free, but they’re paying me,”
Punk commented, expressing his genuine enthusiasm for these characters.
He expanded on the unique appeal of villains, explaining,
“There’s something about villains that I think are — Villains are often times, for lack of a better word, sexier than the good guys. Villains get to do fun stuff. Villains got the better weapons, the better outfits.”
Punk’s perspective highlights the allure and freedom villains often have compared to heroes.
To illustrate his point, Punk borrowed from pop culture, stating,
“You know, Cobra is cooler than GI Joe. But, this movie really kind of turns that on its side and explores it, like who really are the villains here.”
Through this comparison, Punk shows the complex appeal of antagonist roles and how films like Night Patrol blur traditional lines between heroes and villains.
Punk’s Wrestling Legacy and the Influence of Heel Personas
Although Punk has mostly portrayed a fan favorite, or “babyface,” since returning to WWE in 2023, his legacy is built on some of the most memorable villain or “heel” performances in wrestling’s recent history. Fans recall his impactful leadership of the Straight Edge Society, as well as his dominating WWE Championship run from 2012 to 2013, both of which cemented his status as a master of antagonist storytelling.
Antagonists Continue to Define Punk’s Career
Punk’s embrace of villainous roles, whether in Hollywood as Zebro Zebrowski and his Night Patrol character, or during his wrestling tenure in WWE and with factions like the Straight Edge Society, has shaped his reputation as a compelling performer. As he continues to explore new territory in acting and wrestling, CM Punk villain roles remain central to his enduring appeal. Audiences can look forward to seeing how Punk further redefines the line between hero and villain in his upcoming projects.
