Drew McIntyre: Triple H, Khan More Open to Hollywood Roles

Drew McIntyre says WWE’s philosophy on outside acting opportunities has shifted dramatically since Triple H and Nick Khan took over creative and business operations, with the promotion now embracing Hollywood projects it once would have blocked.

Speaking on Busted Open after wrapping film work alongside some major Hollywood names, McIntyre explained that requests for time off to pursue outside projects used to be shut down in favor of keeping talent available for WWE programming. Now, he says, the response from management is very different.

“In the past, things have come up that have been brought to management that have been shut down. Like, ‘Hey, we need you here. We need you on the show,’” McIntyre said. “These days, both the lads see it as, ‘Hey, if this is good for you and your brand, you want to do it, that’s awesome.’ And if it works for our brand, if it helps everybody, if it gets more eyes on the product, they’re all about it.”

McIntyre drew a clear line between that mindset and his years working under Vince McMahon, recalling McMahon’s approach as simply, “I need you here.” He was quick to add that he understood the old logic — WWE’s live event schedule depended heavily on marquee names to sell tickets, and for most of his career his entire life revolved around the weekly grind of the road. He noted there were big opportunities over the years involving some of the biggest stars in wrestling history that never came to pass under that system, though he declined to name names.

According to McIntyre, Khan and Triple H now see outside exposure as something that can actually benefit WWE rather than threaten it — the logic being that a bigger individual profile for a performer translates into more eyes on the company as a whole. He was careful to stress that his own Hollywood pursuits aren’t a sign he’s stepping away from wrestling, noting plainly that he’s “not going anywhere anytime soon.”

The 41-year-old is set to appear in The Last Druid alongside Russell Crowe, and in The Highlander alongside Henry Cavill, Crowe, and other high-profile names.

This fits a broader pattern that’s become increasingly visible since Triple H assumed creative control and Khan took over business operations: wrestlers like Bad Bunny, LA Knight, and others have been given more runway to build outside profiles, and WWE itself has leaned harder into crossover media as part of its Netflix-era growth strategy. McMahon-era WWE treated outside exposure with suspicion, worried it diluted the brand or reduced a star’s availability. The current regime appears to view it as free marketing — a star shining elsewhere still wears WWE on their résumé.

For McIntyre specifically, the comments arrive at an interesting moment in his career, as he balances his in-ring run with an expanding list of film credits. If WWE continues treating outside ventures as assets rather than liabilities, expect more of its top stars to follow a similar path without it being seen as one foot out the door.