Madame Web’s Sydney Sweeney to Portray Iconic Fighter in New Biopic

Madame Web star Sydney Sweeney continues to garner plaudits in Hollywood, holding her own in various genres, from romance to horror. Her next film sees her branch out further as she’s set to star in a sports biopic chronicling a trailblazing boxer.

Per Deadline, Sweeney will hit the ring to portray iconic fighter Christy Martin in an untitled biopic which distributor Black Bear is shopping for potential buyers at the upcoming Cannes Film Market. The biopic chronicles Martin’s journey to becoming the “female Rocky,” elevating herself through the ranks to become one of the most recognizable fighters of the ’90s and the first female boxer to sign with polarizing promoter Don King. The movie is expected to tackle her rise to fame, meeting her manager and later husband, Jim Martin, personal demons and a near-fatal incident, all as she ascended to become the welterweight champion.

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For Sweeney, the Martin biopic is in her wheelhouse, considering the Anyone but You star’s passion for boxing and mixed martial arts, having participated in kickboxing throughout her teenage years. “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,” Sweeney said. “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.”

Sydney Sweeney Will Help Tell Christy Martin’s Story

The Martin biopic will be helmed by David Michôd, known for directing pictures such as The King and Animal Kingdom. Regarding the film’s script, Michôd said, “The film is about Christy as a young gay woman in small town 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 filmmaker praised Sweeney’s work, citing her performance in Reality, and her “taste for the fight game” as she prepares to play Martin. Principal photography for the biopic is set to begin this fall, with casting discussions taking place behind the scenes.