Getty Image
Earlier this month, it was announced that up-and-coming actress Sydney Sweeney would be playing famed female boxer Christy Martin in an upcoming film directed by David Michôd.
At the time of the announcement, Sweeney provided a statement to Deadline in which she revealed that she’s actually done MMA in the past and even once won an all-boys grappling competition (according to an interview she gave with Marie Claire in 2018).
Sweeney also told Deadline that she’s looking forward to ‘transforming’ her famed body that’s helped her achieve sex symbol status in recent years.
“I grappled and did kickboxing from 12 to 19 years old. I’ve been itching to get back into the ring, train and transform my body,” Sweeney said. “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 has shown off her MMA skills before, having previously posted a video of herself working out in 2022.
While Sweeney has been rising up Hollywood’s A-list ever since the premiere of Euphoria in 2019, the 26-year-old actress has become a household name over the last 12 months thanks to her roles in films such as Reality, Anyone But You, Madame Web, and Immaculate. Sweeney also hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time in her career earlier this year.
According to reports, Sweeney’s Christy Martin biopic is set to begin production in the fall.
In addition to Euphoria and the aforementioned movies, Sweeney is also known for her work in The White Lotus, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Sharp Objects, Under the Silver Lake, The Voyeurs, Night Teeth, and The Handmaid’s Tale.
Sweeney’s Christy Martin movie isn’t the only project she has in the works as she’s also developing a remake of the Jane Fonda-starring sci-fi Barbarella with Baby Driver director Edgar Wright in talks to direct.