Stephen Merchant directs wrestling film
Stephen Merchant will direct his own screenplay when he helms Film 4’s Fighting with My Family, a feature film due to shoot in Los Angeles and London later this month.
The comedy-drama is inspired by the Channel 4 British documentary The Wrestlers: Fighting with My Family, which is based on the true story of WWE Superstar Paige and her family of professional wrestlers, which includes reformed gangster Ricky.
Merchant is among the executive producers on the project too along with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia of Seven Bucks Productions, Kevin Misher of Misher Films and WWE Studios president Michael Luisi. Co-financier Film4 has developed the project from inception.
Johnson will take a role in the film which stars Florence Pugh as Paige and Jack Lowden as her brother Jack.
Merchant said of the film: “When Dwayne sent me the documentary, I didn’t think I’d be interested in a story about wrestling.
“Until I realised this is not really about wrestling at all - it’s about a young woman, her family and their struggles, which are funny, sad, tough, tender and ultimately inspiring. And just happen to involve people in spandex throwing each other about.
“I love that it’s a true story about a working class girl who, against the odds, climbed to the very top of her unusual profession. And as with Rocky and boxing, even if you don’t like her sport, you’ll love her journey.”
Stephen Merchant photo via Getty Images Ent/WireImage/Mike Marsland.
Also on The Knowledge
Studios Spotlight – OMA V
The latest in our Studios Spotlight is OMA V, due to be fully open at the end of this month. We speak to Location Collective’s MD Becky Butler about the new facility, the company’s studio portfolio and the plans for the future.
Final series of Vera begins filming
Filming has begun on Series 14 of Silverprint Pictures’ crime drama Vera, as ITV confirmed it will be the final run.
Climate Spring’s development lab returns
Climate Spring’s The Hot House development lab is returning, with screenwriters encouraged to craft “stories of the climate transition.”
Sustainability system launches with new Sky comedy
With sustainability at the top of the agenda for production, managing the eco credentials of your film or TV project is becoming more important every day.
Emma Thompson, Ruth Wilson to star in Mick Herron drama for Apple TV+
Ruth Wilson and Emma Thompson will star in Down Cemetery Road, based on the book by Slow Horses author Mick Herron, for Apple TV+.
Studios Spotlight – Behind the scenes at The Bottle Yard Studios
The latest spotlight in our Studios series shines on Bristol’s Bottle Yard Studios, the largest film and TV studio in the west of England.