Sydney Sweeney has wrapped up filming for her upcoming biopic on American boxer Christy Martin, she announced on Monday in a long note alongside a picture with the latter. Paying a heartfelt tribute to Martin, the actress called the film “one of the most emotional, transformative experiences” of her life.
“I don’t usually write a lot in my captions but this movie and experience I feel needs more than just a few words. We have wrapped filming Christy Martin’s story and it has been one of the most emotional, transformative experiences of my life. Christy’s journey is so deeply inspiring, and having her by my side during this process was nothing short of surreal,” the 27-year-old actress wrote alongside the picture with Martin on Instagram.
Sweeney said that she would get emotional when Martin cheered her on as she shot for her scenes. “There were moments on set where I’d glance over at her standing by the monitors, cheering us on, and I’d just become so emotional. Knowing what she’s endured, what she’s pushed through to be there in that moment—it made me want to cry,” she added.
For the Euphoria actress, the biopic is more than just a film. “It’s a testament to resilience, survival, and finding the strength to keep fighting. I can’t wait for you all to see it—not only because I’m proud of the transformation and the work I’ve poured into it, but because Christy’s story deserves to be told,” she said, adding that she enjoyed playing her “kickass” character “a little too much”.
“But most importantly, you’ll witness a story that’s as powerful as the woman who lived it. I’ll carry this experience with me forever. Can’t wait to share more,” Sweeney, who was last seen in the horror film Immaculate this year, wrote.
In the picture, Sweeney sports a black jacket over a matching t-shirt and blue jeans. She looks unrecognisable as she stands beside Martin. The duo makes a closed fist gesture with their hands. “To Sydney, Thank god! Keep punching,” Martin signed on a pair of boxing gloves, which she gifted to Sweeney.
Sweeney has undergone a massive physical transformation in the film. Previously, she dropped pictures of her flexing her muscles in a red tank top and grey track pants on the sets of the movie. “Over the past few months, I've been immersed in training to bring to life the story of an incredible woman—a true champion who fought battles both inside and outside the ring,” she wrote alongside the pictures in which she looks unrecognisable.
The yet-to-be-titled biopic will see Sweeney taking on the role of Martin, who is the first female boxer to be inducted into Nevada’s Boxing Hall of Fame and also to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. The movie will chronicle her rise in the world of boxing as a female boxer as well as the attempted murder of her by her husband back in 2010.
Produced by Black Bear Pictures, the film also stars Katy O’Brian, Ben Foster, Merritt Wever, Ethan Embry, Chad L. Coleman, Tony Cavalero and Jess Gabor. It is directed by David Michôd, known for the 2019 drama The King starring Timothee Chalamet.
