Michael Rooker will always be fondly remembered as Merle Dixon in The Walking Dead series. The brother of Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus), Merle was an abrasive, surly individual who, before the outbreak, he was a drifter who made his way through life on his survival skills, which would prove useful in an apocalypse. In the end, he went out a hero as he tried to take out the Governor (David Morrissey), who was threatening his brother and his friends. Rooker is well known for many memorable roles and will now star in a new movie, White Elephant.
This action-crime movie is directed by Jesse V. Johnson, who co-wrote the film with Erik Martinez. In addition to Rooker, Bruce Willis, Olga Kurylenko and John Malkovich also star.
The story follows Gabriel Tancredi (Rooker), a former marine at war with his conscience and code of honor as he works as an enforcer for a mob boss, Arnold Solomon (Willis).
The official trailer (below) starts with action and violence that carries through for the entirety. This one will be an action-packed film that will release in select theaters and AMC+ on June 3.
White Elephant Trailer
Michael Rooker – other roles
Rooker’s first role was a monumental one. In 1986 he took a role in a film titled Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, known as one of the most disturbing films ever made. The story tells of two real-life serial killers, Henry Lee Lucas and Otis Toole and their spree of horrific murders that they videotaped.
The MPAA stated this film was too shocking for an R rating, and it was released with an X rating previously reserved for pornographic films. Roger Ebert’s take on this film is that it is intended to illuminate, not entertain. What a way to begin your career.
Rooker has over 130 acting credits to his name and is well known for many of his roles, including Yondu Udonta in the Guardians of the Galaxy films. Some of his more recent roles include Corrective Measures, Creepshow, What If…?, The Suicide Squad, The Dark Tower, Love and Monsters, Fantasy Island and Brightburn.
Be sure to watch for more of his upcoming projects, The Out-Law, Fast X, Yolo County OG and A Good Man is Hard to Find.
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