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Key Takeaways
Sydney Sweeney, the Hollywood sensation coming off the successful run of the hit rom-com Anyone But You and the spine-chilling Immaculate, is once again demonstrating her impressive range. This time, she’s stepping into the ring to play the iconic boxer Christy Martin in an upcoming biopic, a project already creating a buzz at the Cannes market where Black Bear will be launching it.
Sydney Sweeney Christy Martin New Biopic
Sydney Sweeney, known for her electrifying performances in Euphoria and The White Lotus, has become a sought-after talent in Hollywood. Following her work in romantic comedies, superhero flicks, and horror films, Sweeney is now set to tackle the sports biopic genre. She will portray Christy Martin, a trailblazing professional boxer who shattered gender barriers and became a pivotal figure in women’s sports.
Directed by the acclaimed David Michôd, the Australian filmmaker behind Animal Kingdom and The King, this untitled project (working title: Apopka) will delve into Martin’s journey to becoming America’s most renowned female boxer of the 1990s. Often dubbed the “female Rocky,” Martin’s story is of perseverance, talent, and triumph. Her career took off in 1989 when she met her manager—and future husband—Jim Martin. She broke new ground by becoming the first woman to sign with the legendary promoter Don King and graced the cover of Sports Illustrated. Known for her charisma and resilience, she won the welterweight championship and captivated a global audience. Yet, behind her public success lay personal battles, including toxic relationships and a harrowing attempt on her life.
For Sweeney, this role is a perfect fit. The actress has a background in boxing and MMA, which makes her particularly suited for this physically demanding part. “I grappled and did kickboxing from 12 to 19 years old,” Sweeney revealed to Deadline. “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, but I love challenging myself.”
Sweeney continued, “Christy Martin not only legitimized female boxing, but she also 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.”
Director Michôd, who has a history of creating compelling narratives about complex characters, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. “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 said.
Christy Martin herself is thrilled with Sweeney’s casting. Speaking to TMZ, the 55-year-old boxing legend expressed her excitement about the young actress bringing her story to the big screen, especially given Sweeney’s MMA background. Martin is eager to assist Sweeney with her training, ensuring authenticity in her portrayal.
Production is set to begin this fall in the U.S., with Black Bear—who recently collaborated with Sweeney on Immaculate—introducing the project to international buyers at the Cannes market. UTA Independent Film Group, AC Independent, and Black Bear will co-represent U.S. rights, with additional casting currently underway.
The film promises a compelling narrative arc, as described by Michôd: “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.”
The script, penned by Mirrah Foulkes (Judy & Punch) and Michôd, is being produced by an impressive team, including 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 project. Martin has been actively collaborating with the filmmakers to ensure an authentic portrayal of her life story.
Producer Kerry Kohansky-Roberts highlighted the film’s significance: “To make the cover of Sports Illustrated was hard enough, but to do it as a female boxer was outstanding. Christy 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.” Sweeney is currently in post-production on Ron Howard’s thriller Eden and Apple’s Echo Valley alongside Julianne Moore.
With an all-star team behind it, including executive producers Michael Heimler, John Friedberg, Foulkes, Brad Zimmerman for Yoki, Inc., and David Levine, Ryan Schwartz, and Nick Shumaker for Anonymous Content, this biopic is shaping up to be a must-watch.
Black Bear’s Teddy Schwarzman expressed his excitement: “Black Bear is beyond thrilled to reteam with Sydney Sweeney, 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 complements David’s incredible skill set. Christy Martin’s story is 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.”
Sydney Sweeney as Christy Martin promises to be a knockout punch in the world of biopics, a story of grit, resilience, and ultimate triumph that audiences won’t want to miss.
