Liv Morgan’s Tokyo Film Set for World Premiere at TIFF 2026

Liv Morgan will hit a major milestone outside the ring when her first major dramatic film premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 10-20, 2026.

The crime thriller **Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo** marks her biggest acting role to date. Morgan stars under her real name, Gionna Daddio, in the modern Tokyo-set reboot of the cult series.

What happened?

TIFF announced the first slate for its 51st edition on July 21, 2026, confirming the world premiere of Takashi Miike’s film. Morgan’s character is the missing politician’s daughter at the center of the plot, hunted by a Yakuza-linked killer.

She filmed her scenes in Japan in 2025, which briefly took her off WWE TV. The cast includes Shun Oguri as a corrupt Tokyo cop, Lily James as the FBI agent, and Jun Kunimura.

Why it matters for Liv Morgan

This isn’t Morgan’s first Hollywood step-she appeared in *The Kill Room* with Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson, and had a role in the *Chucky* TV series-but *Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo* is her first high-profile dramatic lead in an international film.

Her wrestling persona and Hollywood ambitions now share the spotlight. Morgan has used her platform to push into acting while still defending the WWE Women’s World Championship inside the ring.

What comes next?

The film has no official theatrical release date beyond its TIFF premiere. Morgan previously hinted at a fall 2026 release, with more details expected after the festival wraps on September 20.

Director Takashi Miike (*Ichi the Killer*, *First Love*) helms the project, blending crime, thriller, and modern Tokyo noir. The original *Bad Lieutenant* starred Harvey Keitel in 1992, with Nicolas Cage leading the 2009 sequel.

How she balances wrestling and acting

Morgan’s dual career has required careful scheduling. She filmed in Japan while still appearing on WWE programming, a rare crossover for a top star in both industries.

Her role as the missing politician’s daughter ties into the film’s Yakuza plot, giving her a dramatic arc far removed from her wrestling persona. The TIFF premiere will test her range in front of a global audience.