Stephen Merchant’s acclaimed wrestling film Fighting With My Family, which starred Florence Pugh and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, is set to be adapted into a stage musical.
The 2019 biopic, written and directed by Merchant, chronicled the remarkable true story of WWE superstar Paige, also known as Saraya Jade Bevis. It followed her journey from a chaotic British wrestling dynasty in Norwich to the bright lights of America’s WWE arena, where she was forced to confront her identity away from her family.
The new coming-of-age musical will draw inspiration from the film, depicting the goth outsider’s ascent from her family’s wrestling ring to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in the US, and the personal challenges that come with it.
Merchant expressed his long-held vision for the story as a musical. He said: “When we were making the film, I always thought of it like a musical: a young woman from the ‘chorus line’ fighting to get her big break, surrounded by theatrical, larger-than-life characters and huge sweeping emotions.
“I approached each wrestling match like it was a different dance number, building to a big show-stopping finale. Seeing the film reimagined for the stage feels like the natural next step. The team have captured the humour, grit and heart of the story in a way that feels both faithful to the film and completely fresh.”
The musical’s soundtrack will be crafted by acclaimed songwriter Miranda Cooper, known for her work with pop luminaries such as Kylie Minogue, Girls Aloud, Sugababes, Pet Shop Boys and Alesha Dixon.
Dwayne Johnson, who also starred in the film, echoed Merchant’s enthusiasm.
He added: “Fighting With My Family feels exceptionally well-suited for the stage. It’s packed with personal emotion expressed through the dynamic world of wrestling, which has always been about storytelling and connecting with a live audience.
“Working with Stephen Merchant on the film was a truly special experience, and his brilliant work deserves this new act. As it comes to life musically, I have no doubt it will be an absolute blast for theatre-goers.”
Further details regarding the production are expected to be announced.
