Ben Foster, Merritt Wever, Ethan Embry, Katy O’Brian Join Sydney Sweeney in Christy Martin Boxing Biopic

As a cinephile with a penchant for biographical dramas that delve into the lives of strong-willed individuals, I am genuinely thrilled by the assembly of this exceptional cast for the upcoming film about Christy Martin, the unparalleled female boxer of the ’90s. The fact that this project marks the second collaboration between Sydney Sweeney and Black Bear, who recently partnered on “Immaculate,” only serves to heighten my anticipation.


Ben Foster, who has been nominated for an Emmy (“Hell or High Water,” “The Survivor”), Merritt Wever, a previous Emmy winner (“Nurse Jackie,” “Unbelievable”), Katy O’Brian, known for roles in “Love Lies Bleeding” and “Twisters”, Ethan Embry from “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Grace and Frankie”, Jess Gabor recognized for her work on “Shameless” and “Three Women”, and Chad L. Coleman, best known for “The Wire” and “The Walking Dead”, have all signed up to appear in the upcoming movie starring Sydney Sweeney, which tells the story of boxer Christy Martin.

Martin, renowned for being the most accomplished female boxer during the 1990s, held the title of welterweight champion and remains the sole female boxer to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. However, her life was marked by domestic abuse at the hands of her husband and trainer, Jim Martin. He was eventually charged with attempted second-degree murder with a firearm and received a 25-year prison sentence. Previously, her life story was dramatized on screen in an episode titled “Deal with the Devil,” which appeared in the anthology documentary series “Untold.

The upcoming movie, yet to be named, is being directed by David Michôd. The screenplay for this film was penned by both Mirrah Foulkes and Michôd. Filming commenced on Monday in North Carolina.

The film will be co-produced by several entities: Kerry Kohansky-Roberts for Anonymous Content, David Michôd for Yoki, Inc., Justin Lothrop and Brent Stiefel for Votiv, Sweeney for Fifty-Fifty Films, and Teddy Schwarzman for Black Bear. Additionally, Black Bear is providing full financing. Executive producers are Michael Heimler and John Friedberg for Black Bear, Foulkes, Brad Zimmerman for Yoki, Inc., David Levine, Ryan Schwartz, and Nick Shumaker for Anonymous Content, and Harrison Huffman.

In this arrangement, Black Bear is responsible for managing the international distribution of the film, while UTA Independent Film Group, AC Independent (the sales and finance division of Anonymous Content), and Black Bear are jointly handling domestic rights. This project signifies the second collaboration between Sweeney and Black Bear, who recently teamed up on “Immaculate.

The movie’s synopsis presents “an incredible true account of Christy Martin, who became America’s most accomplished female boxer in the 1990s. Born with an innate talent for fighting, her life took a dramatic turn in 1989 when she met her manager and future husband, Jim Martin. By shattering barriers, she was the first woman to sign with renowned promoter Don King, and the only female boxer to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. Christy’s charm, beauty, and indomitable spirit in the ring earned her a vast following and made her the welterweight champion. However, beneath this polished public image, Christy confronted personal struggles, toxic relationships, and an assassination attempt, demonstrating that a fighter’s most challenging victories aren’t always achieved inside the ring.

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2024-09-30 21:16