Queen of the Ring (film)

Last updated

Queen of the Ring
Queen of the Ring (film) poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Ash Avildsen
Screenplay byAsh Avildsen
Based onThe Queen of the Ring: Sex, Muscles, Diamonds, and the Making of an American Legend
by Jeff Leen
Produced by
  • Aimee Schoof
  • Isen Robbins
  • B. D. Gunnell
  • Ash Avildsen
Starring
CinematographyAndrew Strahorn
Edited byCraig Hayes
Music byAaron Gilhuis
Production
companies
  • Sumerian Pictures
  • Intrinsic Value Films
Distributed bySumerian Pictures
Release dates
Running time
130 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Queen of the Ring is a 2024 American biographical sports drama film written and directed by Ash Avildsen. It is about female professional wrestler Mildred Burke, and stars Emily Bett Rickards, Josh Lucas, Kelli Berglund and Walton Goggins.

Contents

Premise

The film chronicles the life of revolutionary female wrestler Mildred Burke.

Cast

Production

Wrestler Mildred Burke, whose life the film is based on. Mildred Burke Worlds Champion Lady Wrestler.jpg
Wrestler Mildred Burke, whose life the film is based on.

The film is written and directed by Ash Avildsen, inspired by the 2010 book The Queen of the Ring: Sex, Muscles, Diamonds, and the Making of an American Legend by Jeff Leen, and Burke's own manuscripts. [1] Jim Ross is executive producer on the film. Aimee Schoof and Isen Robbins of Intrinsic Value Films and TV are producers on the film. [2]

Principal photography took place in Louisville, Kentucky. [3] In July 2023, the film received dispensation to continue filming during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. [4]

Casting

Actress Emily Bett Rickards, who plays Burke in the film (pictured in 2023) Emily Bett Rickards Photo Op GalaxyCon Austin 2023.jpg
Actress Emily Bett Rickards, who plays Burke in the film (pictured in 2023)

In May 2023, Emily Bett Rickards was cast as the lead in the film as Mildred Burke while Josh Lucas was cast as Billy Wolfe. At this time, Marie Avgeropoulos was cast as Babe Gordon. [5]

In June 2023, Walton Goggins, Francesca Eastwood and Deborah Ann Woll joined the cast, [6] with Gavin Casalegno cast as Mildred's teen age son Joe later that month. [7] Charlotte Flair and Liv Morgan had to withdraw from their roles as June Byers and Clara Mortensen due to scheduling and injury issues, respectively, and were replaced by NWA Women's Champion Kamille and AEW Women's Champion Toni Storm. [8] In June 2023, Trinity Fatu joined the cast. [9] Kelli Berglund was cast in August 2023, having previously also played a wrestler on the television series Heels . [10]

Release

Queen of the Ring premiered at the Buffalo International Film Festival on October 15, 2024. [11] It is scheduled to be released in theaters in the United States on March 7, 2025, by Sumerian Pictures. [12]

References

  1. ↑ "ASH AVILDSEN - CREATING HIS OWN DESTINY, CROSSING OVER INTO FILM, AND HIS HIT SERIES 'PARADISE CITY'". Flaunt.com. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  2. ↑ "WWE Stars to Appear In New Movie on the Life and Career of a WWE Hall of Famer". Wrestling Headlines. May 22, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  3. ↑ Sperling, Nicole (August 9, 2023). "Confusion in Hollywood as Some Productions Are Allowed to Continue". The New York Times . Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  4. ↑ Porter, Rick (July 19, 2023). "SAG-AFTRA Strike: Which Movies and TV Shows Are Still in Production". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Emily Bett Rickards, Josh Lucas to Star in Wrestling Movie 'Queen of the Ring' [Exclusive]". Midgard Times. May 23, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Walton Goggins and Deborah Ann Woll Join Wrestling Movie 'Queen of the Ring' [Exclusive]". Midgard Times. June 3, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  7. ↑ Seo, Rachel (June 13, 2023). "'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Star Gavin Casalegno Joins Wrestling Film 'Queen of the Ring' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Queen of the Ring biopic moves forward amidst strike, Charlotte Flair, Liv Morgan replaced". The Economic Times . July 31, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  9. ↑ Thompson, Andrew (June 26, 2023). "Trinity Fatu to be in 'Queen of the Ring' film". Post Wrestling. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  10. ↑ "How 'Heels' Star Kelli Berglund Became the Heart and Soul of the Wrestling Drama". The Hollywood Reporter . August 9, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  11. ↑ Lambert, Jeremy (October 11, 2024). "Mildred Burke Biopic 'Queen of The Ring' To Premiere In October". Fightful. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  12. ↑ Stephan, Kacy (December 17, 2024). "'Queen of the Ring' Trailer: Emily Bett Rickards Becomes Legendary Wrestler Mildred Burke (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved January 23, 2025.
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