Perfect: Olivia Wilde to direct biopic about Olympic gold medalist Kerri Strug
Coming off from the critically-acclaimed success of Booksmart, Olivia Wilde has officially set her next directing project in the form of a new biographical drama film titled Perfect which revolves around iconic gymnast Kerri Strug’s triumphant victory at the 1996 Olympics. The film will be penned by Ronnie Sandahl, who is no stranger to the sports drama genre as his most recent writing credits was the 2017 biopic Borg vs. McEnroe which starred Shia LaBeouf.
“This is a film about what real power looks like,” Wilde said in a statement (via Deadline). “It is an excruciatingly beautiful underdog story that will thrust the audience into the heart of Kerri Strug with unblinking, raw honesty. It is an epic sports movie that will deliver on all the wish-fulfilment that makes those films so thrilling to watch. At the same time, it is unlike any sports movie you have seen before.”
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Based on Strug and John P. Lopez’s book Landing On My Feet, A Diary Of Dreams, the film will tell the true story of Kerri Strug’s inspiring Olympic journey. In 1996, she was part of the U.S. women’s gymnastic team who was famously referred to as the Magnificent Seven. During the final rotation against the Russian team, Strug bravely completed the final vault despite having a badly injured ankle due to a bad fall from her first attempt. Because of her perseverance and determination, Strug had earned Team USA’s first gold medal and was hailed as a National Sports hero.
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Perfect will be executive produced by Wilde, Deepak Nayer, Marisa Clifford and Sandahl with Riverstone Pictures’ Nik Bower and Pulse Films’ Thomas Benski serving as producer. Jeremy Baxter and Moss Barclay will also produce the film while FilmNation will handle the international sales.
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Interestingly enough, Wilde most recently starred in Clint Eastwood’s biopic drama Richard Jewell which told the story of a security guard who saved thousands of lives from an exploding bomb at the 1996 Olympics. Wilde is also set to direct and star in New Line Cinema’s period thriller film Don’t Worry Darling.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
