Sydney Sweeney has landed another big film project after her two recent hit films Anyone But You and Immaculate.
The actress is set to star in a boxing biopic that will tell the story of trailblazing boxer Christy Martin, and it’s the film will be directed by David Michôd, known for projects such as Oz, Animal Kingdom, and The King.
The untitled movie “will chart the true story of Martin’s rise to become America’s most well-known female boxer in the 1990s — the ‘female Rocky’.
“A naturally gifted fighter, her life transformed in 1989 when she met her manager, and later husband, Jim Martin. Breaking boundaries, she became the first woman to sign with iconic promoter Don King, and the only female boxer to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
“Her charisma, good looks and resilience in the ring won her an avid fanbase and propelled her to become welterweight champion. But behind the well-honed public persona, she tackled personal demons, toxic relationships, and a brutal attempt on her life.”
Sweeney said in a statement: “I grappled and did kickboxing from 12-19 years old. I’ve been itching to get back into the ring, train, and transform my body. Christy’s story isn’t a light one, it’s physically and emotionally demanding, there’s a lot of weight to carry. But I love challenging myself.”
She continued: “Christy Martin not only legitimized female boxing, she overcame gender stereotypes, and fought through emotional, physical, and financial abuse.
“I’m passionate about the fighting world, Christy’s story shines a light on her incredible rise to the top while showing the struggles of fame behind the curtains. I feel compelled to tell a story about a woman who faced so much adversity and didn’t allow it to defeat her. It’s powerful, and emotional.”
The director added: “I have a history of making movies about damaged men and I’d been wanting to make a film about a woman with a ferocious energy inside her.
“When I came across the Christy Martin story two years ago I knew I’d found it. Her ferocity is intelligible and justifiable and audiences will crave it because of the circumstances she was forced to endure”.
He went on to say: “The film is about Christy as a young gay woman in small-town West Virginia in the 1990s. She came from a relatively conservative family and wasn’t allowed to be who she was so she used boxing as a vehicle to express herself and her rage.
“She had to make some dangerous and fundamental compromises in her life, the most important of which was marrying an incredibly dangerous man.”
Producer producer Kohansky-Roberts said: “David [Michôd] and I have been saying that this is a female rocky. To make the cover of Sports Illustrated was hard enough, to do it as a female boxer was outstanding and she paved the way for so many boxers and MMA fighters to come”.
Michôd added: “Sydney’s performance in Reality knocked my socks off. She has been ferociously sporty since she was a kid and has a taste for the fight game.”
Black Bear’s Teddy Schwarzman said: “Black Bear is beyond thrilled to reteam with Sydney Sweeney, who is one of the most exciting and talented actors working today. We’ve also wanted to work with David Michôd for some time, and this material perfectly compliments David’s incredible skillset.
“Christy Martin’s story is an epic, and our film will deliver everything audiences expect and much, much more. We’re excited to step in to finance the project and produce alongside our incredible partners.”
The film was written by Mirrah Foulkes (Judy & Punch) and Michôd and it the plan is to shoot this fall. The actress is in post on Ron Howard’s starry thriller Eden and Apple’s Echo Valley alongside Julianne Moore.
Source: Deadline