Sydney Sweeney is getting into the ring.
The famed actress, best known for roles in the HBO series Euphoria as well as the recent hit film Anyone But You, has signed onto portray boxing legend Christy Martin in an upcoming biopic. David Michôd, who has worked on films such as Animal Kingdom and The King, is set to direct the project, with Black Bear producing the movie after previously backing Sweeney’s passion project with the horror film Immaculate.
A member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Martin is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of women’s boxing. She was the first woman to ever sign with iconic boxing promoter Don King and also became the first female boxer to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
In 2010, Martin hit the headlines again after her husband attempted to kill her in a violent altercation where she was stabbed several times and shot in her torso but survived the attack. Her husband was arrested and later convicted on second-degree attempted murder charges. He remains in prison after being sentenced to 25 years behind bars.
Sweeney’s interest in the project comes at least in part thanks to her passion for combat sports, having trained Brazilian jiu-jitsu growing up. She’s also been a fixture at many big UFC events after becoming an avid fan of MMA as well.
“I grappled and did kickboxing from 12-19 years old,” Sweeney told Deadline when announcing the project. “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.
“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.”
There’s no title yet for the biopic, but Sweeney is expected to begin production on the film later this year, with project shooting in the U.S. Sweeney seemingly teased her upcoming transformation to play Martin after debuting some dark locks during an appearance at the Met Gala on Monday, which famously matched the hair Martin had for most of her boxing career.
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