Finally the Rock has come to Sundance, and not to snowboard but to show festival attendees the passion project he executive produced, developed and co-stars in: Fighting With My Family.
And there weren’t just cheers at the end of tonight’s premiere at the Ray Theater in Park City, but tears for this triumphant tale about Norwich, UK born wrestler Paige who worked her way up from working class roots, defied TV wrestling’s glam female stereotype and became the youngest Divas Champion in WWE history at the age of 21.
Johnson sprung to bring Paige’s story to the screen after catching the documentary about her life, The Wrestlers: Fighting With My Family, on late night British TV in 2012 when he was in London shooting Fast & Furious 6.
Based on a true story, FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY follows reformed gangster Ricky, wife Julia, daughter Paige and son Zak as they make a living wrestling together in tiny venues. When Paige and Zak get the opportunity to try out for WWE, the family grabs a once-in-a-lifetime chance to turn their wildest dreams into a dazzling future. However, brother and sister quickly discover that to become superstars, both their talent and their relationship will be put to the test.
“I knew this family so well, this was my family, we lived like gypsies, my family promoted wrestling in bars; any place you can put a ring,” said Johnson tonight about how the doc spoke to him. “Lineage is the biggest reason why I identified with the documentary,” added the Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle star.
Johnson appeared after the Sundance surprise screening for a Q&A with the pic’s director/writer Stephen Merchant (a cast member with Johnson on Tooth Fairy), the real Paige, Florence Pugh who plays Paige in the film, Vince Vaughn (who plays Paige’s coach), Nick Frost (Paige’s father), Lena Headey (Paige’s mother) and Jack Lowden (Paige’s brother).
Asked by an audience member if Johnson would ever make a movie or doc about his own wrestling dynasty, the Maivias, Johnson answered, “We considered it…possibly one day. The lineage is long, if I can find the right writer who understands it. Stephen Merchant, maybe.”
(Excerpt) Read More at: Deadline.com