Sydney Sweeney to Portray Boxer Christy Martin in New Biopic
Sydney Sweeney will star as the International Boxing Hall of Famer, Christy Martin, in the untitled biopic about her life.
Sydney Sweeney has another acting role in the bag. On May 8, it was announced that the two-time Primetime Emmy nominee will soon grace the silver screen as Christy Martin in the upcoming biopic about the professional boxer.
Sydney Sweeney will star as boxer Christy Martin in a biopic directed by David Michod.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 8, 2024
“I grappled & did kickboxing from 12-19 years old. I’ve been itching to get back into the ring, train & transform my body”
(Source: Deadline) pic.twitter.com/55AjdiieNe
Australian filmmaker David Michôd is slated to direct the film which will “chart the true story of Martin’s rise to become America’s most well-known female boxer in the 1990s,” according to Deadline. The outlet alludes to some of Martin’s life events that will likely be depicted, such as her ascent to fame, toxic relationships, and shocking betrayals.
The Anyone But You actress revealed to Deadline that she has a personal history with boxing. “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,” she continued.
In explaining why she felt drawn to the role, Sweeney stated, “Christy Martin not only legitimized female boxing, she overcame gender stereotypes and fought through emotional, physical, and financial abuse…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.”
According to Minchôd, the film is about “Christy as a young gay woman in small-town West Virginia in the 1990s…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.” Screenwriter and director Mirrah Foulkes will co-write the screenplay with Michôd.
This film will mark the second time the White Lotus actress has portrayed a real-life figure. In 2023, Sweeney starred in Reality, which tells the story of Reality Winner, a former American intelligence specialist who released unauthorized government information concerning the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Sweeney watched interviews and spoke directly with Winner on Zoom to prepare for the role. She even trained to increase her muscle mass, as Winner was a yoga trainer and CrossFit instructor.
Given Sweeney’s commitment to her roles, we are excited to see what the actress will deliver as Martin, who has had an active role in the film’s development. Fans can follow the Euphoria actress on Instagram for updates on this and other upcoming projects.
Isaiah is an entertainment writer for Glitter Magazine with a focus on music and film stories. He enjoys the aforementioned topics as well as performing, yoga, and fashion.
