Manny Pacquiao to make Hollywood debut in Rob Schneider movie

Manny Pacquaio's most notable movie role to date was the Philippine superhero film "Wapakman" in 2009. (Courtesy of Solar Entertainment)

Manny Pacquiao, long regarded as one of sports' most tireless multitaskers, will share the screen with Rob Schneider and Benecio del Toro in an action-comedy film due in theaters next year.

The WBO welterweight champion will make his Hollywood debut in Brass Knuckles, according to ABS-CBN News. Pacquiao, who has starred in more than a half-dozen movies in his native Philippines, will play a gangster who is the uncle of Schneider's character.

The eight-division champion, whose previous film roles have included the schlocky superhero pic Wapakman, will film his scenes in Los Angeles after his June 9 fight with Timothy Bradley and return for post-production in August and September. Two-time Emmy winner Erick Geisler will direct the film, which has been slated for a 2013 release.

“The whole point of the movie is it really exploits and shows how and what a bad choice it is to be involved with drugs and just this whole world,” actor-producer Damian Perkins said. “Manny's got a good role, we're actually going to bulk up the role a little bit for him as well. More lines for him."

Schneider, the Filipino-American actor and comedian best known for his starring roles in Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo and The Hot Chick, is an avid boxing fan.

-- Bryan Armen Graham