It’s been over a decade since "The Mob" shut down Ocean Drive with those gravity-defying shipping container stunts. Honestly, looking back at 2012, Step Up Revolution felt like a fever dream of neon lights, dubstep drops, and incredibly high-waisted shorts. But while the plot was—let’s be real—sorta thin, the talent was undeniable. This wasn't just another dance flick; it was a launchpad.
Most people remember the leads, Ryan Guzman and Kathryn McCormick. You’ve probably seen them pop up in everything from gritty police procedurals to Hallmark romances since then. But the actors from Step Up Revolution didn't just stay in the dance lane. Some became massive TV stars. Others moved behind the camera or returned to the competitive stage that made them famous in the first place.
It’s fascinating to see how the industry treated them. For a while, Hollywood had this weird obsession with casting professional dancers in leading roles, then expecting them to navigate heavy dramatic scripts without much training. Some thrived. Others found their niche back in the choreography world, which, if we’re being honest, is probably where the real money and longevity are anyway.
Ryan Guzman: From MMA to 9-1-1
Ryan Guzman didn't even consider himself a "professional dancer" when he landed the role of Sean Asa. That’s the wild part. He was a model and an MMA fighter. The producers took a huge gamble on him. He had to learn to keep up with world-class breakers and contemporary dancers in just a few weeks of "dance boot camp."
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It worked.
After the movie, Ryan didn't just disappear into the abyss of direct-to-DVD sequels (though he did return for Step Up: All In). He took a hard turn into acting. You might remember him playing the "creepy younger guy" opposite Jennifer Lopez in The Boy Next Door. That movie was... a choice. But it proved he could carry a feature film.
Fast forward to today, and he’s basically a staple of network television. He’s spent years playing Eddie Diaz on 9-1-1. It’s a complete 180 from the flash-mobbing rebel of Miami. He traded the tank tops for a firefighter uniform and started dealing with heavy storylines about PTSD and fatherhood. It shows a level of range many critics didn't think he had back in 2012. He’s one of the few actors from Step Up Revolution who successfully transitioned into a full-time, "serious" acting career without relying on his dance background as a crutch.
The Kathryn McCormick Post-SYTYCD Glow
Kathryn McCormick was already a darling of the dance world before she played Emily Anderson. She was the third-place finalist on Season 6 of So You Think You Can Dance. In many ways, Step Up Revolution was written specifically to showcase her contemporary fluidity.
After the film, Kathryn didn't chase the Hollywood "it girl" status as aggressively as Ryan did. Instead, she leaned into her roots. She became a mentor. She worked on the documentary Like Air, which followed three young dancers at a high-stakes competition. She also returned to So You Think You Can Dance as an All-Star, which, frankly, is where she shines most. There is something about her movement—it’s emotional in a way that’s hard to replicate in a standard acting role.
She also married photographer and filmmaker Jacob Patrick. Together, they’ve worked on various creative projects that focus more on the "soul" of dance rather than the commercial flash. If you’re looking for her nowadays, you’re more likely to find her at a dance convention inspiring the next generation than on a movie set in Los Angeles.
Misha Gabriel and the Choreography Kingpin Status
Misha Gabriel played Eddy, Sean’s best friend and the "brains" of the operation. In the movie, Eddy was the one worried about the "integrity" of the art. In real life, Misha’s career has followed a remarkably similar path of artistic leadership.
Misha was already legendary in the industry before the movie. He had danced for Michael Jackson and was part of the This Is It crew. After Step Up Revolution, he shifted his focus toward choreography and high-level creative direction.
- He worked extensively with Justin Timberlake.
- He’s choreographed for massive world tours.
- He remains a go-to guy for music videos that require actual technical skill rather than just "vibes."
His career trajectory is a reminder that being one of the actors from Step Up Revolution didn't always mean wanting to be the next Brad Pitt. For guys like Misha, the movie was just a cool gig on a resume that already included the King of Pop.
The Supporting Cast: Where "The Mob" Dispersed
The beauty of this specific Step Up installment was the ensemble. They brought in actual dance royalty. Take Stephen "tWitch" Boss, for example. He played Jason. While he had a role in this film, his legacy grew to be so much larger. He became the DJ and eventually an executive producer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. His passing in 2022 was a massive blow to the community, but his presence in Revolution remains a high point of the movie’s energy.
Then you have Megan Boone. Most people forget she was even in this movie! She played Claire, Sean’s sister. Shortly after the film, she landed the lead role of Elizabeth Keen on The Blacklist. She spent eight seasons playing a federal agent opposite James Spader. It’s a massive jump—from a dance movie subplot to the lead of a global TV franchise.
Why the 2012 Miami Setting Mattered
The film was shot in Miami, and the local flavor was real. They used local dancers. They tapped into the Latin heat of the city. This gave the actors from Step Up Revolution a different "look" than the previous films which were set in Baltimore or New York.
People often criticize these movies for being "cheesy." And yeah, the dialogue is sometimes painful. But if you look at the technical execution of the museum dance or the final protest in the shipyard, the talent is undeniable. These weren't just actors pretending to dance. These were elite athletes being asked to act.
The Step Up Legacy and the Pivot to Streaming
The franchise eventually moved to a TV series called Step Up: High Water. While some of the original movie cast made cameos, it mostly ushered in a new era. However, the influence of the fourth film (Revolution) is all over it. The idea of dance as "protest" or "social commentary" started right here.
Real Talk: The "Dance Movie" Curse
It’s hard to stay relevant as a "dance actor." Hollywood is fickle. Once a trend dies—like the 3D dance movie trend of the early 2010s—the actors often get pigeonholed. Ryan Guzman escaped it by getting buff and doing procedurals. Megan Boone escaped it by pivoting to drama.
But for others, the transition was tougher. Cleopatra Coleman (who played Penelope) did a great job moving into comedy and sci-fi, starring in The Last Man on Earth and Rebel Moon. She’s arguably had one of the most interesting careers out of the whole bunch because she chose "weird" roles over mainstream ones.
Final Practical Takeaways for Fans
If you’re looking to follow the careers of the actors from Step Up Revolution, don’t just look at the IMDb "Actor" credit.
- Check the Choreography Credits: Many of the background dancers in "The Mob" are now choreographing for the Oscars, the Grammys, and the Super Bowl.
- Follow the Pro-Dance Circuit: Kathryn McCormick and others are heavily involved in the convention circuit (like JUMP or Nuvo). That’s where they do their best work now.
- Watch Network TV: Ryan Guzman is the king of the "steady paycheck" right now on 9-1-1. If you want to see his growth as an actor, start there.
- Explore the "Step Up: High Water" series: Even if the original cast isn't the focus, the DNA of the Miami film is very much alive in the choreography.
The cast of this movie proved that dance is a legitimate entry point into the broader entertainment industry. They weren't just kids in baggy pants; they were professionals who used a "protest dance" movie to build long-term brands. Whether it's firefighting on TV or teaching contemporary in a studio, they’ve mostly all stayed in the game. That's a rare feat in a town like Los Angeles.
To see the most recent work from these performers, your best bet is to look at the creative teams behind current pop star tours. You'll find the names of "The Mob" members all over the credits for artists like Dua Lipa, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift. They moved from the screen to the stage, and honestly, they're probably having more fun there anyway.