Sydney Sweeney
For the biopic she becomes the boxer Christy Martin
Sydney Sweeney (right) plays Christy Martin.
© The Ring Magazine via Getty Images / Anthony Behar/ddp/Sipa USA
Sydney Sweeney is currently fighting her way to the top in Hollywood. Now the actress has landed a new role.
Sydney Sweeney (26) will soon be in front of the camera as professional boxer Christy Martin (55). As she confirmed to Deadline, she plays the leading role in the biopic about the legendary athlete directed by director David Michôd (51). The as-yet-untitled project will tell the true story of Christy Martin’s rise to become the most iconic female boxer of the 1990s and explore the highs and lows of her life.
Sweeney, who was last seen in the horror film “Immaculate,” is excited about the role. She has a personal passion for boxing. “I was a wrestler from 12 to 19 years old and did kickboxing. I was excited to get back in the ring, train and change my body,” the American told the film portal. She loves to challenge herself.
The story of Christy Martin is not easy fare
Nevertheless, Sydney Sweeney also has respect for the task. “Christy’s story is not an easy one, it is physically and emotionally demanding, there is a lot of weight to carry,” she emphasized. However, she feels “obliged” to bring the boxer’s life to the screen.
The project is due to be presented to international buyers in Cannes next week. Director David Michôd is writing the script together with Mirrah Foulkes. According to the filmmaker, Christy Martin will be working on the biopic. It is currently unknown who will play the roles alongside Sweeney.
Christy Martin’s story is spectacular and dramatic. In the 1990s she managed to popularize women’s boxing. In her private life, however, she went through hell: Due to the abuse she suffered in her marriage to her husband and manager James Martin, who was 25 years her senior, she slipped into drug addiction and struggled with suicidal thoughts. After the American woman told him about her homosexuality, he tried to kill her in 2010.