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One of the biggest stars in Hollyw ood, Sydney Sweeney is set to portray legendary female boxer Christy Martin in her next film. The feature will be directed by David Michôd from Australia, who worked on films like Animal Kingdom (2010), The King (2019) and The Rover (2014) among others. The film is currently untitled and aims to look into Martin's journey to boxing stardom during the 1990s.
This David Michôd flick will be presented by Black Bear at the Cannes market as per Hollywood news house, Deadline. The shooting for this film is set to kick off during fall 2025 while Black Bear introduce the project to international buyers at Cannes next week.
Sydney Sweeney to play Christy Martin in David Michôd-directed film
Talking about Christy Martin and her enthralling life in and out of the squared circle, the 55-year-old became the first woman to sign with iconic promoter Don King and even stole the spotlight away from Mike Tyson on his undercard in 1996 against Deidre Gogarty. But her personal life took a major hit after meeting her manager, and later husband, Jim Martin. The couple had a heavily publicised toxic relationship which included Christy Martin being attacked multiple times.
It’s powerful, and emotional: Sydney Sweeney on playing Christy Martin
Talking about this film, Sydney Sweeney told Deadline: “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.”
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.”
