According to Deadline, Jojo Rabbit star Thomasin McKenzie has officially been tapped for the leading role in Olivia Wilde’s upcoming sports drama biopic titled Perfect, centered around legendary gymnast Kerri Strug’s historic win at the 1996 Olympics. The film will be directed by Wilde from a script written by Ronnie Sandahl (Borg vs McEnroe). Production will begin in January 2022.
This marks the 20-year-old New Zealand actress’s first major feature as the solo lead after her supporting performances in Taika Waititi’s acclaimed dramedy Jojo Rabbit, and Justin Kurzel’s True History of the Kelly Gang. She will next be seen in Edgar Wright’s long-awaited psychological horror pic Last Night in Soho, and M. Night Shyamalan’s new thriller Old, which are both set to debut later this year.
RELATED: Biopic in the Works on Transgender MMA Fighter Fallon Fox
Perfect 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.
Pick up a copy of the book here!
Based on Strug and John P. Lopez’s book Landing On My Feet, A Diary Of Dreams, the film will be released globally by Searchlight Pictures, who acquired the rights for $15 million. Executive producers are Wilde, Sandahl, Deepak Nayer, Marisa Clifford, Jeremy Baxter, and Moss Barclay with Riverstone Pictures’ Nik Bower and Pulse Films’ Thomas Benski serving as producer.
RELATED: Olivia Wilde Hints at Kevin Feige’s Involvement in Sony Marvel Project
Due to the success of Wilde’s directorial debut Booksmart in 2019, the actress-turned-director continues to be one of Hollywood’s rising and talked about filmmakers. She recently wrapped production on her second directorial feature-length film Don’t Worry Darling which will be led by Oscar nominee Florence Pugh and Harry Styles. Wilde is also currently attached to helm an untitled female-led Spider-Man film for Sony Pictures.
