Born a Champion

Last updated
Born a Champion
Born a champion.jpg
Official poster
Directed by Alex Ranarivelo
Written by
Produced by
  • Ali Afshar
  • Paul J. Alessi
  • Kevin Asbell
  • Daniel Aspromonte
  • Sean Patrick Flanery
  • George Kosturos
  • Forrest Lucas
  • Ava Rettke
Starring
CinematographyReuben Steinberg
Edited byBrett Hedlund
Music by Austin Wintory
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release date
  • January 22, 2021 (2021-01-22)
Running time
112 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Born a Champion is a 2021 American martial arts drama directed by Alex Ranarivelo and written by Sean Patrick Flanery and Ranarivelo. It stars Flanery, Dennis Quaid and Katrina Bowden. The film also features mixed martial arts fighter Edson Barboza, with appearances by Renzo Gracie and Mickey Gall. [1] [2]

Contents

Plot

Mickey Kelley, a former marine and one of the first American black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, gets pulled away from everything he loves and into an unsanctioned MMA tournament.

Cast

Production

Forrest Films announced their intent to film Born a Champion, then titled Mickey Kelley, in July 2019. Alex Ranarivelo was named as the director and actors Sean Patrick Flanery, Katrina Bowden, and Dennis Quaid were also announced as some of the film's central characters. Flanery also served as one of the film's producers and co-wrote the script alongside Ranarivelo. [3] Flanery called the film a "love letter to BJJ" in the film's credits, as a result of "what it’s done for me; how it’s changed me; what it’s done for my perspective on life, love and happiness and family." [4]

Filming took place in Petaluma, California during the summer of 2019 and wrapped in August of the same year. [5] [6]

Release

The film received a limited release in select theaters in the United States on January 22, 2021 and became available via video on demand the same day. [7] It was released on Blu-ray and DVD on January 26, 2021. [8] [9]

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References

  1. ↑ Cruz, Guilherme (December 1, 2020). "Trailers, release date revealed for 'Born a Champion,' movie starring UFC fighter Edson Barboza". MMAFighting.com. Archived from the original on 2021-01-13. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  2. ↑ Clements, Averi. "Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Sean Patrick Flanery Stars In Upcoming MMA Movie "Born A Champion"". Jiu-Jitsu Times. Archived from the original on 2022-01-25. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  3. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (July 16, 2019). "Mixed Martial Arts Pic 'Mickey Kelley' To Star Sean Patrick Flanery, Katrina Bowden, Dennis Quaid & MMA Fighters Renzo Grazie, Edson Barboza & Mickey Gall". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 2019-07-16. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  4. ↑ Tall, Kevin (18 January 2021). "Sean Patrick Flanery Says He'd Have Pursued MMA If Sport Emerged Sooner, Offers Hope For 'Boondock Saints 3'". The Inquisitr. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  5. ↑ "Local Hollywood director wraps up latest Petaluma movie with Dennis Quaid in supporting role". Petaluma Argus-Courier. August 8, 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  6. ↑ "July 11 Arts and Entertainment Source: Movie producer returns to home Petaluma". Times-Herald. July 9, 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-01-10. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  7. ↑ Renner, Brian. "Everything You Need to Know About Born A Champion Movie". Movieinsider.com. Archived from the original on 2021-01-23. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  8. ↑ Cranswick, Amie (November 22, 2020). "Sean Patrick Flanery, Dennis Quaid and Katrina Bowden star in trailer for Born a Champion". Flickering Myth. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  9. ↑ Dawson, Angela (January 20, 2021). "Sean Patrick Flanery Brings Passion For Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu To The Screen With 'Born A Champion'". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
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