UFC champ Alex Pereira in talks to join “Onslaught” at A24

According to an insider familiar with the project, UFC light heavyweight champion Alex “Poatan” Pereira is in talks with Lyrical Media and Ryder Picture Company to join Adam Wingard’s new action thriller “Onslaught” for A24.

Adria Arjona has already been announced in talks to star in the film. While plot details are still unclear, Pereira will play the villain alongside Arjona.

“Onslaught” reunites writers Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett (“You’re Next,” “The Guest,” “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire”). Wingard will direct.

Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett will produce under their Ryder Picture Company (RPC) banner alongside A24, Alexander Black for Lyrical Media, Adam Wingard and Jeremy Platt under their new Breakaway Civilization brand and Simon Barrett. Lyrical’s Jon Rosenberg and Natalie Sellers will serve as executive producers.

Lyrical Media and A24 will jointly finance. A24 handles worldwide publishing.

Wingard is developing a live-action/animated adaptation of the popular 1980s animated series “ThunderCats” and a “Face/Off” sequel that will reprise Nicolas Cage and John Travolta in a sequel to John Woo’s 1997 action extravaganza. Barrett is working on the scripts for “ThunderCats” and “Face/Off.”

Pereira is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and former kickboxer. He currently competes in the light heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he is the current UFC light heavyweight champion and former UFC middleweight champion.

The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news about Pereira.