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Sydney Sweeney has signed on to play real-life boxer Christy Martin in a film directed by David Michod, who is best known for his Netflix films War Machine and The King.
Martin, 55 years old, is one of the famous female boxers of all time, as she was the first woman to sign with famed promoter Don King and also became the first female boxer to features on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Speaking to Deadline, Sweeney indicated she would be undergoing intense training in order to transform her body.
“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.
At this time, the still-untitled film is set to begin production this fall. Sweeney is the only actor attached to the project thus far.
“The currently untitled project will chart the true story of Martin’s rise to become America’s most well known female boxer in the 1990s — the ‘female Rocky’ in the words of the film’s producers. A naturally gifted fighter, her life transformed in 1989 when she met her manager, and later husband, Jim Martin,” reported Deadline.
“Her charisma, good looks and resilience in the ring won her an avid fanbase and propelled her to become welterweight champion. But behind the well-honed public persona, she tackled personal demons, toxic relationships, and a brutal attempt on her life.”
Following her roles in the recent films Madame Web and Immaculate, Sweeney will next be seen starring in the films Eden, alongside Ana de Armas, and Echo Valley, which co-star Oscar winner Julian Moore.
Sweeney is also developing a remake of the 1968 cult classic sci-fi film Barbarella, which originally starred Jane Fonda.
While nothing has been confirmed, rumors — partially fueled by Sweeney herself — suggest that Shaun of the Dead and Baby Driver director Edgar Wright will helm the project.