Queen of the Ring is a 2024 American biographical sports drama film written and directed by Ash Avildsen. It is about Mildred Burke, and stars Emily Bett Rickards, Josh Lucas, Kelli Berglund and Walton Goggins.
| Queen of the Ring | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ash Avildsen |
| Screenplay by | Ash Avildsen |
| Based on | The Queen of the Ring: Sex, Muscles, Diamonds, and the Making of an American Legend by Jeff Leen |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Andrew Strahorn |
| Edited by | Craig Hayes |
Production companies |
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Release date |
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Running time | 180 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Premise
editThe film chronicles the life of revolutionary female wrestler, Mildred Burke.
Cast
edit- Emily Bett Rickards as Mildred Burke
- Josh Lucas as Billy Wolfe
- Tyler Posey as G. Bill
- Kelli Berglund as Nell Stewart
- Walton Goggins as Jack Pfefer
- Marie Avgeropoulos as Babe Gordon
- Gavin Casalegno as Joe Burke
- Kamille as June Byers
- Toni Storm as Clara Mortensen
- Trinity Fatu as Ethel Johnson
- Deborah Ann Woll as Gladys Gillem
- Francesca Eastwood as Mae Young
- Martin Kove as Al Haft
- Cara Buono as Bertha
- Damaris Lewis as Babs Wingo
- Britt Baker as Debbie Nichols
Production
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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
edit
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]
References
edit- ^ "ASH AVILDSEN - CREATING HIS OWN DESTINY, CROSSING OVER INTO FILM, AND HIS HIT SERIES 'PARADISE CITY'". Flaunt.com. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Sperling, Nicole (August 9, 2023). "Confusion in Hollywood as Some Productions Are Allowed to Continue". New York Times. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ Porter, Rick (July 19, 2023). "SAG-AFTRA Strike: Which Movies and TV Shows Are Still in Production". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ "Emily Bett Rickards, Josh Lucas to Star in Wrestling Movie 'Queen of the Ring' [Exclusive]". moviesr.net. May 23, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ "Walton Goggins and Deborah Ann Woll Join Wrestling Movie 'Queen of the Ring' [Exclusive]". Moviesr.net. June 3, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Queen of the Ring biopic moves forward amidst strike, Charlotte Flair, Liv Morgan replaced". Economic Times. July 31, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ Thompson, Andrew (June 26, 2023). "Trinity Fatu to be in 'Queen of the Ring' film". Post Wrestling. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ "How 'Heels' Star Kelli Berglund Became the Heart and Soul of the Wrestling Drama". Hollywood Reporter. August 9, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.