Myriad Pictures is set to introduce international sales on the long awaited, biopic, Queen Of The Ring. They cannot wait to get things started at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival! Directed by Ash Avildsen, the feature has a star studded taboo cast. Felicity herself Emily Bett Rickards stars as the original female pro wrestler, trailblazer Mildred Burke. In addition to Rickards, the film stars Josh Lucas, Walton Goggins, and Tyler Posey.
Queen Of The Ring looks at the extraordinary life and times of trailblazer Mildred Burke. She became the first woman to surpass men to be the number one draw in professional wrestling. The film chronicles her fight for independence against dubious business figures who surrounded her, highlighting her efforts to support other women in the sport. The narrative draws inspiration from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jeff Leen’s book, The Queen Of The Ring: Sex, Muscles, Diamonds, And The Making Of An American Legend.
A Talented Cast and Crew
Emily Bett Rickards gives an Oscar-worthy performance as a young Mildred Burke. We’re grateful to her for bringing complexity and depth to Burke’s hardships and victories in a patriarchal field.
Kirk D’Amico, a producer on the film, remarked on Rickards’ performance, stating, “Emily Bett Rickards gives a compelling portrayal of real-life Mildred Burke who became the world’s highest paid professional athlete of her day. The film focuses on Burke’s fight for her independence from the shady businesspeople around her and even those closest to her who didn’t always have her best interests at heart.”
Avildsen and Alston Ramsay worked together to craft the film’s screenplay. Aimee Schoof & Isen Robbins & B.D. Gunnel co-produced the film. Other members of the executive producer team are Kelly Koep, Jeff Leen, Jim Ross and Anthony Mastromauro.
Historical Significance of Mildred Burke
Protecting Mildred Burke’s legacy in professional wrestling Mildred Burke’s influence on women’s professional wrestling cannot be overstated. She is, of course, a history-making first—to get sole top billing—female wrestler. Further, she was a part of the first ever female “shoot match” to determine who would host a title fight. Her accomplishments opened the doors for generations of women who got involved in wrestling and the sports world because of her.
Burke’s impact extended beyond her own career. She became the first million-dollar female athlete, raising women’s visibility in sports during an era when such representation was scarce.
Recent Developments
Queen Of The Ring, originally produced in 2021 for the UK market, is getting its United States release this March through Sumerian Films. Help us make national headlines by welcoming Myriad Pictures as they prepare to bring the film to Cannes! This provides a thrilling opportunity for international audiences to experience Burke’s inspiring journey.
“Myriad has shown to have the passion and professionalism that filmmakers dream of when wanting a team to help get their stories out to the world.”