‘Beast’ Director Tyler Atkins on Crafting an MMA Drama About Identity, Family and Survival

‘Beast’ Director Tyler Atkins on Crafting an MMA Drama About Identity, Family and Survival

The Australian filmmaker discusses blending cage-fight brutality with a working-class family drama, collaborating with Russell Crowe and exploring what he calls “divine masculinity.”

Daniel MacPherson swings big in his new drama, Beast: "I gave it everything"

To say Daniel MacPherson is punching above his weight in the new sports drama Beast is perhaps, an understatement. It’s a complete transformation for the Aussie actor, and it might just be his best work yet.    Directed by Tyler Atkins, Beast sees Daniel play Patton James, a former MMA world champion whose life takes a wrong turn when he is sentenced to time in prison. Ten years later, he’s tempted back into the ring for a grudge match after his…