Sydney Sweeney Transforms for Boxing Biopic ‘Christy,’ Trailer Released
Toronto – Sydney Sweeney delivers a striking transformation in Christy, a new biopic chronicling the life of boxing pioneer Christy Martin, with the film’s trailer debuting today. Black Bear, which co-produced the David Michôd-directed picture, will release it theatrically on November 7.
The film arrives as Sweeney continues a career trajectory marked by bold choices and critical attention. Christy details Martin’s rise to prominence as one of the frist female boxing stars in the late 1980s, becoming the first woman in the sport to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated under the guidance of her trainer-manager and husband, Jim (played by ben Foster). Though, the film explores the challenges Martin faced outside the ring, including struggles with family, identity, and an increasingly hazardous relationship with Jim.
Sweeney underwent a meaningful physical transformation for the role, gaining 30 pounds to embody Martin’s physicality. ”I absolutely loved it,” Sweeney told Deadline at the film’s world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. “I truly felt Christy’s power as I transformed. And I really enjoyed being able to train and work with incredible boxing coaches and weight trainers and nutritionists that helped me get to the place that I was for Christy.”
the cast also includes Merritt Wever, Katy O’Brian, Ethan Embry, Jess Gabor, Chad Coleman, Bryan Hibbard, Tony Cavalero and Gilbert Cruz. Michôd co-wrote the script with Mirrah Foulkes, based on a story by Katherine Fugate.
Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, Teddy Schwarzman, Brent Stiefel, Justin Lothrop, Michôd and Sweeney produced the film. Executive producers are Foulkes, John Friedberg, Michael Heimler, harrison Huffman, David Levine, Ryan Schwartz, Nick shumaker and Brad Zimmerman. Christy premiered in TIFF’s Special Presentations section last week.
