Sidney Sweeney has shared new photos of himself as boxer Christy Martin in an upcoming biopic, where he sports a ’90s mullet and adds some muscle to play the former jock.
Sweeney wrote on Instagram, “Thanks to a few pops in the bush the cat’s out of the bag, so here’s a little BTS from my film I’m working on right now.”
He will play Martin in an untitled sports biopic directed by David Michot, which recently began production. Martin is a former professional boxer who competed from 1989-2012 and was world champion in the super welterweight class in 2009. In 2010, she survived an assassination attempt by her husband James Martin. He stabbed Christy multiple times and shot her in their Florida home, but she survived. In 2012, James was convicted of attempted second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
“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 in and out of the ring,” Sweeney wrote. “Her journey is a testament to resilience, strength and faith, and I’m honored to step into her shoes to share her powerful story with all of you. More to come 🙂 Christy Martin.
In 2020, Martin was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame on the organization’s first all-female ballot.
James Martin, Merritt Weaver, Katie O’Brien, Ethan Embry, Jess Gabor, Chad L. Coleman and Ben Foster as Tony Cavalero round out the upcoming biopic’s cast. The film is produced by Anonymous Content, Black Bear Pictures, Fifty-Fifty Films, Votive and Yogi Inc.