CJ Perry is expanding her creative work beyond professional wrestling with plans for a feature-film adaptation of her upcoming novel, Bulletproof Angel.

Perry, widely known to wrestling fans as Lana from her time in WWE, announced in September that the novel would be arriving in November. She has now revealed that the project is already moving toward the screen. Perry described the proposed adaptation as a spy thriller in the James Bond mold, with a particular emphasis on prominent women characters.

“But also, it is going to be made into a movie. We’re already in the works with it. Very exciting. We’re already starting to work on the packaging. It’s like a James Bond spy thriller. There’s some woman leads, which is really exciting.”

The update puts Bulletproof Angel in a different category from a simple celebrity book release. Perry is not only preparing the novel for publication, but is also involved in the early process of shaping its potential film version. Her comments make clear that development has progressed to packaging work, a key stage in which producers begin assembling the creative elements and talent needed to present a project to potential partners.

For more background on this topic, read Rusev Details Injury Scare, Illness and WWE Return Timeline After Raw Absence.

While Perry will be involved behind the camera as a producer, she does not expect to take the lead role in the movie. Instead, she said the intention is to bring in a more established actor for the principal part, while leaving room for Perry to appear in a smaller on-screen capacity.

“No, we’re going to get a bigger actress, like a bigger name. I’m producing it though. I’ll probably get a little cameo because why not, I love acting. But the biggest thing for me as a producer, I want to get names that move the needle, the best actresses. Even though I’m phenomenal, there is people that are better.”

Perry’s comments outline a clear approach to the project. Rather than using the adaptation strictly as a starring vehicle for herself, she is looking to attach recognizable names who can help lead the film and broaden its reach. At the same time, a cameo would allow her to remain part of the finished movie in front of the camera, which fits with her continued interest in acting.

Perry Plans to Produce Rather Than Lead the Cast

The decision to prioritize an established lead actor reflects the practical realities of developing an independent film project. Perry has built a substantial profile through wrestling, reality television, public appearances, and acting-related pursuits, but she is openly framing the film as an ensemble-driven production that will benefit from casting performers with significant mainstream recognition.

Her use of the phrase “names that move the needle” points to an effort to position Bulletproof Angel as a commercial entertainment property rather than a niche extension of her wrestling career. Perry’s comparison to James Bond also offers the strongest available indication of the intended tone: international-style espionage, action, glamour, danger, and a central mystery or mission structure.

Specific plot details for the novel and film have not been disclosed. Perry has not announced a director, screenwriter, studio, distributor, release window, or any casting for the female leads she referenced. There is likewise no word yet on when cameras could roll. What has been confirmed is that the adaptation is being actively developed and that Perry expects to produce it.

The film’s creative direction appears likely to center on women in substantial roles. That point was important in Perry’s update, as she highlighted the presence of female leads as one of the exciting parts of the project. The spy-thriller format has often created opportunities for memorable women characters, whether as agents, adversaries, intelligence figures, allies, or civilians drawn into high-stakes situations. Perry’s remarks suggest that women will be central to the story rather than simply supporting a male protagonist.

Rusev Set for a Villain Role

Perry also confirmed that Rusev will be part of the movie. Her husband is expected to portray a villain in the adaptation.

That casting is a natural fit with Rusev’s established screen presence in wrestling. Across his career, he has regularly been presented as an imposing and charismatic performer, able to balance intensity with personality. A villain role in an action-oriented spy film would give him a chance to apply those qualities in a new medium while working within a project that Perry is helping produce.

Rusev’s involvement does not mean the film will be built around professional wrestling talent. Perry was explicit that the goal is to land major acting names for the leading roles. Still, his participation adds a recognizable connection for wrestling audiences and gives the project an experienced physical performer for what could be a demanding antagonist part.

Rusev has remained a prominent name for fans following WWE, and his current absence from WWE programming has prompted discussion. He addressed that absence separately during the same interview in which Perry offered her Bulletproof Angel update. Perry’s announcement, however, focused on the creative plans surrounding the novel and its adaptation rather than on his wrestling status.

From Wrestling Persona to Original Property

For much of her public career, Perry has been most closely associated with the Lana character and her work alongside Rusev. The two became one of WWE’s most visible on-screen pairings, and Perry later continued to pursue opportunities that extended beyond the ring. A novel and a developing movie represent another step in creating original intellectual property under her own creative direction.

That distinction is notable. Wrestling performers commonly move into acting, publishing, podcasting, business, and other entertainment fields, but developing a book with a planned screen adaptation gives Perry a different type of involvement. As a producer, she will have a role in helping determine how the material is translated from page to screen and how the project is presented to the industry.

Producing can involve many different responsibilities depending on the scope of the production, including developing the property, helping identify creative personnel, participating in casting conversations, packaging the project, and supporting the path toward financing and distribution. Perry did not detail exactly what her producer role will entail, but she made it clear that she intends to be involved in that side of the process.

The early status of the movie also means there are many steps still to come. A project can change significantly as it moves through development, particularly in terms of its screenplay, cast, budget, and eventual distribution plan. Perry’s comments should be viewed as confirmation that work has begun, not as an announcement of a completed production or a finalized cast.

What Is Known About ‘Bulletproof Angel’ So Far

  • Bulletproof Angel was announced by CJ Perry in September.
  • The novel is scheduled to be released in November.
  • Perry says a film adaptation is already in development.
  • She described the concept as a James Bond-style spy thriller.
  • The project is expected to feature women in major roles.
  • Perry plans to serve as a producer.
  • She does not expect to star in the lead role, though she hopes to make a cameo appearance.
  • Rusev is slated to play a villain.

For now, the major takeaway is that Perry is approaching Bulletproof Angel as a multi-platform project from the outset. The novel’s November release will introduce readers to the story, while the film development process begins the longer task of bringing that world to a screen audience.

There are no announced production dates or casting decisions beyond Rusev’s villain role, and Perry has not identified the actor she hopes will headline the movie. Still, her comments provide a meaningful first look at the scale of her ambitions for the property: a female-led espionage thriller, backed by recognizable acting talent, with Perry producing and making room for a brief appearance of her own.

As more details emerge about the book’s story and the film’s development team, Bulletproof Angel could become one of the more distinctive entertainment ventures connected to a former WWE personality. Perry has already set the direction. The next question will be which performers, filmmakers, and production partners join her as the project moves forward.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.