Underdog fight movies have always been a staple of popular culture because their stories resonate universally, no matter who you are. Recently, the genre has seen a resurgence, with more of these inspiring tales hitting screens than ever before. Now, another one is joining the ranks, but this one stands apart from its peers—thanks to its period setting, powerful themes, stellar ensemble cast, and the jaw-dropping physical transformation of Emily Bett Rickards (“Arrow”, We Need to Talk). She has truly gone the distance, getting into phenomenal shape for the role and creating a truly authentic and believable character.
The film in question is Ash Avildsen‘s (American Satan, “Paradise City) Queen of the Ring, based on the life of Mildred Burke, the first million-dollar female athlete and longest reigning champion at a time when wrestling was banned across most of America.
Directed by Avildsen, from a script he penned, based on Jeff Leen‘s nonfiction book, “The Queen of the Ring: Sex, Muscles, Diamonds, and the Making of an American Legend,” the film takes place in a time when pro wrestling for women was illegal all over the country. Nevertheless, a small town single mother (Rickards) embraces the danger to change culture as she dominates America’s most masculine sport to become the first million dollar female athlete in history.
As mentioned in the preamble, the ensemble cast here is as extensive as they come with Rickards being joined by the likes of Josh Lucas (Glory Road, “Palm Royale”), Tyler Posey (“Teen Wolf”, Truth or Dare), Francesca Eastwood (Juror #2, Old), Walton Goggins (Django Unchained, “Fallout”), Gavin Casalegno (“Walker” “The Summer I Turned Pretty”), Cara Buono (“Stranger Things”, Let Me In), Deborah Ann Woll (“Daredevil: Born Again”, Escape Room), Marie Avgeropoulos (Dead Rising: Endgame, “The 100”), Martin Kove (“Cobra Kai”, Death Match, VFW), Kelli Berglund (“Heels”, Wallbanger), Damaris Lewis (Fatale, “Titans”), American professional wrestler Kailey Latimer, New Zealand-Australian professional wrestler Toni Rossall, Adam Demos (Take My Hand, “UnREAL”) and WWE Superstar, Trinity Fatu.
When speaking about the role and its physical demands with Collider, Rickards shared her experience, saying, “I had never gotten to go under such a physical transformation for a character before, one that was not only energetic, but had to have the body structure to find the energy. It has really opened up my eyes, in terms of my process and acting. It just makes me hungry for more.”
She continued, “It takes a team to change your body, and dedication, for sure. Keep in mind that my dedication is not only propelled by my dream of acting and wanting to transform, but there’s also a team of people behind me. I had so much guidance and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them. I wouldn’t have had any knowledge. I don’t know what I would have done. I probably would have just done bicep curls and given up.”
Rickards further explained the rigorous approach, saying, “But there was a very structured plan with macros and a nutrition breakdown, which was intense protein, lower fat, and then lots of carbs. And then, there was exercise and weights every day, with slow, heavy, minimal reps and different body parts every day, six or seven days a week … The other thing is that, visually for camera, anyone who was on set would tell you that I had a little wagon of weights, so I would do quick pumps before every single take. I was not only working out in the morning, but I was working out throughout the day. It was a lot of work.”
The film is produced by Aimee Schoof, B.D. Gunnell, Isen Robbins, and Ash Avildsen and is slated for a March 7, 2025 nationwide theatrical release. We’ll leave you with the official trailer from Sumerian Pictures—guaranteed to knock you out, leave you dazed, and have you pumped to see it when it drops!
