Actress Sydney Sweeney, known for her roles in HBO’s Euphoria and the film Anyone But You, will portray boxing legend Christy Martin in an upcoming biopic directed by David Michôd and produced by Black Bear.
Well, well, well. Sydney Sweeney’s stepping into the ring.
You know her, right? The brilliant actress from HBO’s Euphoria and the recent blockbuster, Anyone But You. Now, she’s gearing up to play boxing legend Christy Martin in a new biopic.
David Michôd’s directing. You might remember him from Animal Kingdom and The King. Black Bear’s producing, they backed Sweeney’s horror film, Immaculate.
Christy Martin, ever heard of her? She’s a big deal in the boxing world. A member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame and a pioneer in women’s boxing.
She was the first woman to sign with Don King, the iconic boxing promoter. And the first female boxer to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated.
In 2010, Martin made headlines again. Her husband tried to kill her. She survived being stabbed multiple times and shot in the torso. He was arrested, convicted of second-degree attempted murder, and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Sweeney’s got a thing for combat sports. She trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu growing up and is a regular at UFC events.
“I grappled and did kickboxing from 12-19 years old,” Sweeney told 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.”
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 biopic doesn’t have a title yet. But Sweeney’s set to start filming later this year in the U.S. She even teased her transformation into Martin at the Met Gala, debuting dark locks similar to Martin’s signature look.