Sydney Sweeney plays boxer Christy Martin in upcoming biopic: Everything we know so far

All You Need to Know About Sydney Sweeney
All You Need to Know About Sydney Sweeney's Christy Martin Biopic (Image via Amazon Studios)

Sydney Sweeney is ready to set the screens on fire with her never-seen-before avatar. The Euphoria star will soon be seen in the Christy Martin biopic, a film based on the legendary boxer.

The actress recently shared her first-look pictures from the film, stunning everyone with her transformation. Sydney Sweeney has bulked up and gained muscles, particularly for this role, and almost looks unrecognizable.

The yet-untitled film was announced in May 2024 and will tell the story of the most popular female boxer in the US in the 1990s. Here are all the updates we have about Sydney Sweeney’s Christy Martin biopic.


Sydney Sweeney looks unrecognizable in first-look photos from the Christy Martin Biopic

For the film, Sydney Sweeney has built biceps and triceps and looks nothing short of a professional boxer. The actress has also let go of her signature blonde look, embracing a curly brunette hairstyle.

After the paparazzi captured some pictures of Sweeney in Christy Martin’s get-up, the actress took to Instagram to officially release her first look from the film. She shared a couple of pictures flaunting her jacked-up muscles and wrote:

“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. her journey is a testament to resilience, strength, and hope, and I’m honored to step into her shoes to share her powerful story with you all. more to come soon :)”

What is the Christy Martin biopic about?

Sydney Sweeney to star in Christy Martin Biopic (Image via HBO)
Sydney Sweeney to star in Christy Martin Biopic (Image via HBO)

The movie chronicles the rise of Christy Martin in the boxing field, which helped her become the most prominent female boxer in the US in the 1990s. It will also showcase how her husband attempted to murder her later in her life.

David Michôd, who previously helmed films like The Rover, War Machine, and Animal Kingdom, will direct the biopic. In an interview during the announcement of the project in May, the filmmaker revealed that the movie will depict how Martin struggled with her identity as a young gay woman in her conservative family in West Virginia.

Martin eventually used boxing as a tool to express herself. Meanwhile, Sydney Sweeney is not new to the world of boxing. The actress has always been passionate about MMA and took up kickboxing as a teenager. In an earlier interview with Variety, she revealed,

“I’ve been itching to get back into the ring, train, and transform my body. 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.”

While Sweeney will be playing the lead role, she will be supported by an equally talented cast. Actors who are so far confirmed to be a part of the film include Ben Foster from Hell or High Water, Merritt Wever from Marriage Story, Ethan Embry, from Sweet Home Alabama, and Katy O’Brian from Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.


Is there a release date for the Christy Martin biopic?

The release date for the movie has not been officially announced. The film was supposed to begin filming in the fall of 2024, and with Sydney Sweeney’s first-look pictures, it looks like the project is right on schedule. However, it remains to be seen when the film will hit the theaters.


Who is Christy Martin?

Christy Martin in an interview in 2021 (Image via YouTube/World Boxing Council)
Christy Martin in an interview in 2021 (Image via YouTube/World Boxing Council)

Currently 56 years old, Christy Martin is famous by the name of ‘female Rocky.’ She started her boxing career in 1989 after meeting her manager and future husband, Jim Martin. She became one of the most successful female boxers in the US and won the World Boxing female super welterweight title in 2009.

Sadly, her life was filled with abuse, and in 2010, Jim stabbed and shot her, but she managed to survive. He was later sentenced to 25 years in prison. Martin has received several honors over the years for her phenomenal career and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020.

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Edited by Apoorva Jujjavarapu