Wrestler Mike goes from Bulk to Blob

Alongside Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds in the new Deadpool and Wolverine film, you might spot a familiar face from around town.

Sheringham wrestler Mike Waters is playing a very large role in the popular Marvel movie – X-Men villain Blob.

“I didn’t know anything about it when I got it,” said Mike, a professional grappler who fights as Bulk with his brother Dave in the tag team UK Pitbulls.

“I got a call from Ugly Models saying I had an exciting audition for Marvel, but that was all they could say.”

Although his brother is a Marvel fan, Mike is more into Star Wars so didn’t know anything about the character.

But after showing them a few wrestling growls, director Shawn Levy said he was perfect.

“He’s a massive fat guy – the part I was born to play!” said Mike, who weighs in at 34 stone.

He said he was asked to take his top off at the casting – and he said he offered to bare all if it helped him get the part.

“But they said I didn’t have to.”

The 46-year-old dad is the third actor in the current run of films to play the villainous Blob, but while others needed fatsuits and other props, Mike neede only a little make-up.

“The only thing they did was cover my tattoos up,” he said. “Otherwise that’s just me.”

But while he is up there on the silver screen with the stars, Mike – who has lived in Sheringham and Cromer all his life – said he didn’t get to mingle with the Hollywood glitterati.

“I didn’t meet any of them,” he said. “I did a couple of days filming on a green screen.”

Hugh Jackman, who plays Wolverine, often comes to Norfolk, as his mum still lives in Norwich.

She went to see the film at Cinema City, and Mike also stayed local for his premiere.

“I went to see it with my wife at The Regal in Cromer, where I saw my first film,” he said. “You can tell it’s me!”

Since filming for his big screen debut, Mike said he has had a couple more auditions so is hoping there might be some more roles ahead.

But for now he is concentrating on playing in three local bands and wrestling, performing all over the country and arranging bouts here in north Norfolk.

He arranged a free show on Lifeboat Plain as part of the carnival and there will be a second show on August 26, with UK Pitbulls taking on adversaries every bit as challenging as Blob and the other X-Men heroes and villains.

He might even sign some autographs… if you ask very nicely.