In 1987, he tested for the role of Kyle McRae in the brutal horror film Hellbound: Hellraiser 2. He was cast but an injury sustained in a Jiu-Jitsu match left him out of the film. The role was then given to Canadian actor William Hope.
Michael was cast to play John Belushi in the movie Wired. The first attempt to make the film did not happen which was being co-produced by Ted Swanson. Wired came from a book written by Bob Woodward. The film was shut down from family lawsuits and came back to life 2 years later and actor Michael Chiklis won the roll which then sent career went through the roof.