Gruemonkey’s Mark Mackner interviews Dustin Rhodes (WWE’s Goldust, Cutter Bill, Thunderclap!)!!
Hello Grue-Lings,
I am very excited to bring to you today a very special guest, Dustin Rhodes. Wrestling fans know Dustin as Goldust from WWE and now he is currently with AEW Wrestling alongside his brother Cody. He is the son of famous WWE Legend The American Dream Dusty Rhodes. Dustin recently starred in a thriller film Cutter Bill, he plays the role of Mitchell White. Cutter Bill is written and directed by Brett Bentman. He is no stranger to Horror/Thriller films. He also starred in Meet Me There as Preacher Woodward, The Murders of Brandywine Theater as the Officer, and Scooby Doo! and WWE Curse of the Speed Demon as Goldust. He is another horror film in post production called Scare Package and of course Cutter Bill as Mitchell White. And a movie in Pre-Production called Thunderclap! that he stars in with Kevin Nash and WWE’s R-Truth, Dustin plays Van Thunderclap Tenner. Dustin as Goldust won numerous championships including the WWE Intercontinental Title. Here is Gruemonkey’s interview with Dustin Rhodes.
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MARK: You’re working on a new film called CUTTER BILL. Correct?
DUSTIN: That is correct.
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MARK: OK, tell us about that.
DUSTIN: It’s in post production, now. We shot it a couple of weeks ago. It was a lot of fun, very hot. CUTTER BILL is a story about the Cowboy Mafia in the 1970s. And there’s some money lost, or hidden on this property. And I play a thief who goes out to try and find this 80 million dollars that’s supposedly on this 500 acres. Very cool movie. Cool project to be involved in. Probably the most fun I’ve had in the 3 or 4 films I’ve done already.
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MARK: Are you a fan of the horror genre at all? Or was it just this specific script that attracted you?
DUSTIN: I’m a fan of film, man. Any film. But it’s more dramatic roles that appeal to me. There’s a few scenes in this film though, that are special to me. And when this film is finished, and edited, and out for the world to see, they’re gonna say that Dustin has actual acting ability, and it’s really cool. I was proud of these two specific scenes that I did, ‘cause they were really strong and had everybody in awe. I’ve always wanted to be in the entertainment arena. Whether it be in my past 31 years of pro wrestling to now, trying to focus on my future in films…. My past in wrestling gave me a leg up on knowing what goes into a production. But back to your question, I’m a big fan of drama, suspense, horror. Not necessarily into comedy. I like more dramatic acting roles.
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MARK: Do you have anything else lined up? Any other films?
DUSTIN: Yeah, I’m gonna be in something called THUNDERCLAP. It’s about an aging, retired, semi-retired wrestler. I’d look at this film and compare it to MILLION DOLLAR BABY. It’s one of those. It’ll get deep. And I was looking at this script, looking at some of my scenes, I’m the lead in this, I think we’ll get a really good look at the acting ability I have, and give us the chance to see what Dustin Rhodes is made of. And I expect big things from it. It looks great, and I’m ready to tackle it.
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MARK: Is there a release date yet, for CUTTER BILL?
DUSTIN: From what I understand, it’s the end of the year. That’s what we’re hoping. Hopefully, we do the red carpet thing and this will be a big success.
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MARK: Do people generally come to you, and invite you to work on their films? Or do you audition?
DUSTIN: I have agents and managers. Bret talked to my film agent and got us on the phone together and that’s how this (CUTTER BILL) came about. I think it’s important to have your managers, your film agents to get things done because they work for you and bring you these opportunities. And some things I don’t get picked for, but all of a sudden, something will happen like this, and it’s a great opportunity to see what I’m made of. And like I said. I’ve had a lot of practice in the TV realm, so I really had time to hone my craft while working in and out of these different characters. That’s what I like to do. I’m a storyteller. I like to get the audience invested and leave them with, “Hey, he’s got a strong presence. I like that.” And leave these people with the sense that Dustin Rhodes is a good actor. I don’t want to be someone that’s like, known as an action star. I want to be known for my acting. That’s where my passion lies. So one of these days, I’m gonna walk that stage and get me an Oscar.
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MARK: I hope so, man. Is this something you’d been considering for a long time now, and now you finally have the time to do it? Or did you just kinda decide all of a sudden that it’s something you wanna try?
DUSTIN: I’ve always wanted to be in films. But I was just so busy with WWE, where you were not granted these opportunities unless you were like, a Rock or Hulk Hogan, or something like that. And they kept us so busy that if we did get a chance to go audition or get picked for something… they just wanted their hands in everything, so it made it difficult to spread my wings in this arena, until now. So now that I’m free from WWE, I’m looking ahead. I don’t have any shackles on me right now, so I can go do what I wanna do, and follow my dream, which is acting.
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MARK: Love it! Are you gonna be at any of the announced AEW TV dates?
DUSTIN: Yeah. I am in talks right now. Contractually, I can’t say much more than that. It’s different. AEW is more wrestler-friendly. For us, that we’re allowed some freedoms that we weren’t allowed in another place, and that’s important to me, that I take care of my family. But I still have this passion and love for wrestling. But at the same time, I will have the freedom to go and do what I wanna do in the acting world, and they understand that, and it’s accepted, and that’s a good thing.
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MARK: Your last couple of matches have been absolute classics. While you’re going after film work, your wrestling career is still something that people are interested in and excited about.
DUSTIN: I know they’re excited, but let’s look at it for what it is. I still have some gas in the tank, but we have some younger talent now that is important. And we have to build this younger talent and get them to a place that I have been, to where Chris Jericho has been, to where Moxley has been. And they’re passionate, and they’re hungry, and I look forward to seeing their successes. And if I can pass along some of my knowledge to them, that’s what I wanna do.
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MARK: I’m sure they’ll be happy to hear your advice.
DUSTIN: Not everybody asks for advice, but when they do, I give it. Anybody who wants some help, all they have to do is ask. But a lot of people don’t think they need help. It’s evident. And sooner or later, they’re gonna come crashing down to the ground. Then it’ll be like, “Oh, can you help me?” Well, no. I tried to help before but you didn’t want it. You thought you were good enough. Figure it out yourself.
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MARK: Now, we all know the Elite, but is there any under the radar talent that you see breaking out and being big surprise stars?
DUSTIN: Yeah, there’s a lot of good talent, man. They just need that opportunity. And I think they’re gonna get it. We’re going on television, on TNT, and… I’m a big fan of Luchasaurus. And Jungle Boy. Like, crazy. The character, the gimmick they have is unique, and really different and cool. They’re cool as hell. It’s something like, if I’m a fan and I’m watching, I’m like, “Wow, what’s this?” And it sticks out, it stands out, I remember it. So that’s good for them, that’s a good gimmick that got going, and they need to keep it going, in my opinion. And I’m also a fan of the Dark order. Those guys are cool, and I like the name. I like them as talent. I just need to watch them a little more. On the female side, you got Awesome Kong, you got Britt Baker. You got some wonderful Japanese ladies. There’s something for everybody. I love the diversity involved in AEW.
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MARK: Yeah, I’m glad you said Luchasaurus. ‘Cause I’m big into dinosaurs and luchadors, and when you get a person that combines those things… like, as soon as I heard about him, I was like “Oh wow!”
DUSTIN: He’s a big ol’ boy, too. I just hope the company does right by him.
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MARK: OK, I wanna thank you for taking the time to get back to us today, and to promote your upcoming films CUTTER BILL and THUNDERCLAP. Of course, AEW is coming soon to TNT and we hope to see you there as well. Before I go, I forgot to introduce myself in the beginning. My name is Mark Mackner, and I’m also a filmmaker, so maybe I’ll whip up a script someday and send it to your agent and maybe you’ll like it.
DUSTIN: Heck yeah, man. Thank you. I would love to look at it.
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MARK: I’d be honored. Jimmy Snuka was in one of my films, and the late great Nikolai Volkoff is in the current film that I’m making. Sadly he passed before he got to see it. But we’re gonna put it out there and hopefully do him right.
DUSTIN: Well thanks, man. I look forward to seeing that, too.
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MARK: Awesome. Thanks again, and continued success, and I hope to talk to you again sometime.
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