Sydney Sweeney (‘Anyone But You’ and ‘Immaculate’) will star as trailblazing boxer Christy Martin in a biopic directed by David Michod. Filming is scheduled to begin this fall in the U.S.
Directed by Michod from a screenplay he co-wrote with Mirrah Foulkes.
The untitled film portrays the true story of Martin’s rise as America’s foremost female boxer in the 1990s, earning her the title of the “female Rocky” according to the film’s producers. Gifted in the ring, her life took a turn in 1989 upon meeting her manager, later husband, Jim Martin. She shattered norms by becoming the first woman to sign with Don King and the sole female boxer featured on Sports Illustrated’s cover. Despite her charisma and ring prowess, she faced personal struggles, including toxic relationships and a near-fatal attack.
Sydney Sweeney on Transforming Her Body
In a statement to Deadline, Sweeney said, “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, and there’s a lot of weight to carry. But I love challenging myself.”
Sweeney continued, “Christy Martin not only legitimized female boxing, she overcame gender stereotypes, and fought through emotional, physical, and financial abuse.” Sweeney added. “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.”
Black Bear, which recently worked with Sweeney on ‘Immaculate,’ will introduce the project to international buyers at the Cannes market next week. UTA Independent Film Group, AC Independent, and Black Bear will handle U.S. rights together. The team is currently discussing additional casting.
Director Michôd said, “I have a history of making movies about damaged men, and I’d been wanting to make a film about a woman with 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.”
Michôd continued, “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.”
Produced by Kerry Kohansky-Roberts (Boy Erased) for Anonymous Content, Michôd for Yoki, Justin Lothrop and Brent Stiefel (As You Are) for Votiv, Sweeney for Fifty-Fifty Films, and Teddy Schwarzman for Black Bear, which is also fully financing. The filmmakers mention that Martin, the film’s subject, has been collaborating with the team on the project.
Executive producers include Michael Heimler, John Friedberg, Foulkes, Brad Zimmerman for Yoki, Inc., and David Levine, Ryan Schwartz, and Nick Shumaker for Anonymous Content.
The release date is scheduled for 2025.
