News

2025 Espys hosted by Shane Gillis (Photo Credit: ABC)

Shane Gillis is set to host the 2025 Espys taking place in Los Angeles on July 16, 2025 and airing on ABC beginning at 8pm Et/Pt. Simone Biles, Josh Allen, Saquon Barkley, and Caitlin Clark are among the top nominees, along with Coco Gauff, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ilona Maher, and Alexander Ovechkin.

If first-time nominee Josh Allen wins in the Best Athlete – Men’s Sports category this year, it would be the fourth time a quarterback has won in the last five years. And if Duke standout Cooper Flagg wins Best Breakthrough Athlete, he would become the first men’s college basketball player to win that award.

Voting is now open for the 2025 Espys through July 16 at 5pm Et on ESPN.com/Espys.

2025 Espys Nominees:

Best Athlete – Men’S Sports

● Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills

● Saquon Barkley – Philadelphia Eagles

● Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder

● Shohei Ohtani...

Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley, who led the NFL in rushing this year and the Eagles to victory in the Super Bowl, leads all nominees for the 2025 Espy Awards, scoring a leading three mentions Thursday in the honors recognizing the year’s best in sports.

Barkley is up in the category for Best Athlete – Men’s Sports, joined by the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, NFL Mvp Josh Allen and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the newly crowned NBA champs Oklahoma City. Barkley is also up for Best NFL Player and Best Play, that viral mid-run backwards hurdle against the Jacksonville Jaguars in November.

Ohtani, up for Best Athlete – Men’s Sports for a second year in a row, is among a group with two noms that includes Allen, Gilgeous-Alexander, U.S. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, and the WNBA’s Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson, the latter of whom joins Biles and U.

Hosted by Kevin Hart, the BET Awards celebrated its 25th year on Monday with a three-hour ceremony honoring Black excellence in music, movies, sports and beyond.

Heading into Monday’s ceremony, Kendrick Lamar led the pack with 10 nominations, followed by Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla, each of whom netted six nominations.

More from TVLineBET Awards 2025: How to Watch Tonight's Ceremony OnlineDivorced Sistas Trailer: Meet the Cast of Tyler Perry's Second Sistas Spinoff on BET+Tyler Perry's Sistas Season 9 Sets July Premiere Date Following Deadly Finale Cliffhanger - Who Didn't Survive?

The BET Awards are also celebrating several living legends this year,...

Sometimes, even brilliant films end up flying under the radar, despite promising critical reception on release. The reasons can be multifold: poor marketing/release strategies, insufficient word-of-mouth, or good old bad luck. Streaming services like Prime Video can often spotlight such underrated gems, such as Jon S. Baird's dark comedy, "Filth, which recently became a hit on the streaming platform 12 years after its theatrical release. The same can be said about Rachel Morrison's feature debut "The Fire Inside," which is currently sitting at #5 on Prime Video's weekly Top 10 list (via FlixPatrol).

In case you haven't heard of this 2024 boxing drama, you can blame the film's long, troubled production, along with the fact that Amazon MGM Studios failed to create hype around such a promising story before release. Having premiered at last year's Toronto Film Festival to glowing reviews, "The Fire Inside" was theatrically released in December 2024, but ended...

Lil Wayne’s May Rolling Stone cover story was an arduous process, with cross-country trips, missed interview sessions, and indeterminate waiting. But when Lil Wayne did talk to us, the conversation was plentiful, ranging from his guitar playing to what he wants his legacy to be as an Mc. Below are some of the gems that didn’t make the piece.

Soul icon Betty Wright taught him how to play guitar

It was during the video for his 2006 Birdman-tandem album Like Father, Like Son’s “Leather So Soft” where...

Exclusive: Rachel Morrison has come aboard to direct Love of Your Life for Amazon MGM Studios. Julia Cox wrote the script, and Ryan Gosling and Jessie Henderson are producing.

Plot details are under wraps. Deadline was first to report the major script sale in October after an intense bidding war, which Gosling and Henderson won for Amazon MGM Studios. Numerous bids were proffered when CAA dropped the spec on the town, and one of the most intriguing came from Taylor Sheridan and Temple Hill’s Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey, who were ready to pay $2 million together with a greenlight and a theatrical release, and a blind script deal. David Ellison’s Skydance got in the game with them, assuming the bid so they could keep their money in their pockets. That film would have gone through Paramount.

No specifics yet on how Amazon MGM sees how Love of Your Life will be released,...

MGM+ has announced the titles coming to the premium linear channel and streaming service in March. The MGM Plus Mach 2025 lineup includes the new series Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue and the films The Fire Inside and September 5.

MGM+, an Amazon company, is a premium linear channel and streaming service delivering a broad lineup of exclusive original series and docuseries, the latest movie releases, and classic film franchises—all available in the U.S. on TV, on-demand, online, and across devices.

MGM Plus March 2025 Schedule

Series

Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue

The series premieres on March 2 and new episodes follow every Sunday

Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue is a strikingly original and taut thriller series with a jaw-dropping reveal waiting at the end. A light aircraft with nine passengers crashes in the Mexican jungle and everyone survives.

But then, one after another, they begin to...

While boxing is a famous solitary sport, ultimately boiling down to a competition between two individual competitors, the close relationship between a pugilist and their trainer is tough and intimate, perfect material for a dramatic feature. Rocky's Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and Mickey Goldmill (Burgess Meredith), Million Dollar Baby's Maggie (Hilary Swank) and Frankie (Clint Eastwood), or Claressa Shields (Ryan Destiny) and Jason Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry) in The Fire Inside all highlight both the fiery aspirations and the dangerous pitfalls of the boxer-trainer relationship. Uppercut, by director Torsten Ruether, benefits from Ving Rhames' strong screen presence, but a lack of believability in both character development and plotting keep the character study from working.

To celebrate the release of the anticipated new true story The Fire Inside, we had the pleasure of chatting with the film’s cast and director to find out more about this ferocious new film.

The film tells the true story of Claressa Shields, one of the greatest female boxers of all time. Aided by her long-time coach, Shields becomes the first American woman to win Olympic gold in boxing, only to discover that not all dreams are created equal, and the real fight has just begun. Ryan Destiny stars as Shields in what is being called a career-defining performance while award buzz has already started to surround Brian Tyree Henry in the role of Shields’ coach and confidante Jason Crutchfield.

Chatting to Brian Tyree Henry and Ryan Destiny, we talk about the lure of Claressa’s story, their own inspirations, and whose words when they were younger continue to push them in their craft,...

The Fire Inside (2024) is a gripping biographical sports drama that follows the remarkable journey of U.S. boxing champion Claressa Shields. As the first American boxer—male or female—to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals, Claressa’s path to greatness was anything but easy. Her journey begins with skepticism from her coach, Jason, who initially dismisses the idea of training her.

However, upon witnessing her raw talent and unyielding determination, he commits to shaping her into a champion. Under his guidance, Claressa secures her first Olympic gold, but the road to victory is filled with hurdles. One of her most difficult moments comes when Jason is unable to accompany her to the qualifiers in China, leaving her feeling abandoned. Despite this setback, they reconcile, and Jason stands by her side on the day she achieves Olympic glory once again.

This article contains spoilers.

The Fire Inside (2024) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:

The film opens in Flint,...

The inspirational sports drama The Fire Inside, produced by Barry Jenkins delivers the compelling story of boxing legend Claressa “T-Rex” Shields. Released on December 25, 2024, the film showcases Ryan Destiny as the Olympic gold medalist in a powerful and emotional performance. Here’s when and where you can expect to stream The Fire Inside online.

What is The Fire Inside About?

The Fire Inside chronicles the extraordinary journey of Claressa Shields, widely regarded as the greatest female boxer of all time. Growing up in Flint, Michigan, and coached by the tough but supportive Jason Crutchfield (played by Brian Tyree Henry), Shields rises against the odds to become the first American woman to win Olympic gold in boxing. Beyond her monumental achievements, the film delves into the emotional and social challenges Shields faces, highlighting the resilience required to pursue greatness in a world that often sets barriers for women in sports.

Directed...

Films centered on athletics continue to find critical and commercial success due to their ability to touch the hearts of even those who've never scored a point in sports before in their lives. Just as a newcomer to football can attend their first live game and find it exhilarating, anyone can tune into, say, a wrestling film and quickly relate to its universal themes of suffering and perseverance. Nike Athlete Anthony Robles' acclaimed new biopic Unstoppable is dropping on Prime Video soon and chronicles the NCAA champion wrestler's rise to glory amid harrowing challenges, including his broken family's financial hardships and — maybe you've heard this one — the fact that Robles was born with only one leg.

MovieWeb recently had the chance to speak with Robles, now a motivational speaker and published author, who is portrayed with a certain ferocity and grace by Emmy-winning actor Jharrel Jerome (Moonlight). Robles opened up...

20 years ago, Clint Eastwood's memorable Million Dollar Baby was crowned Best Picture at the Oscars, with the film breaking the hearts of many while also introducing them to Hilary Swank's timeless portrayal of a woman boxer. Now comes an exciting new film that switches the script of Eastwood's movie and transforms a powerful true story into great cinema. The Fire Inside tells the story of gold-medalist boxer Claressa Shields and features beloved talent both behind and in front of the camera. Its screenwriter is Oscar-winner Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), and its lead is rising star (opposite Brian Tyree Henry) Ryan Destiny (Grown-ish), who portrays a young Michigan-native Shields with an authentic intensity that makes The Fire Inside a knockout in more ways than one.

MovieWeb recently caught up with Destiny the Los Angeles junket to learn more about her acclaimed new film and if she holds any...

Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the new film “The Fire Inside,” written by Barry Jenkins (“Moonlight”) and directed by Rachel Morrison, it’s the story of Olympic boxer Claressa Shields and her inner drive to better her circumstances. In theaters since December 25th.

Claressa “T-Rex” Shields is from depressed Flint, Michigan, and uses her abusive home life as a motivator to rise through the boxing ranks. Her trainer is Jason (Brian Tyree Henry), and is skeptical of the little girl that desires to box, and takes her on because of that grit and “fire” in her belly to make it to the top. Despite distractions from her mother (Olunike Adeliyi), a boyfriend and a sports world that won’t embrace her even as she has success, T-Rex perseveres to rise to unprecedented greatness.

”The Fire Inside” is in theaters since December 25th. Featuring Ryan Destiny,...

Los Angeles, California – December 04: Ryan Destiny and Claressa Shields attend the Los Angeles Premiere Of “The Fire Inside” at DGA Theater Complex on December 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Amazon MGM Studios via Getty Images) Photo Credit Eric Charbonneau Copyright 2024 Eric Charbonneau The Fire Inside is the inspiring true story of Claressa ‘T-Rex’ Shields, the extraordinary boxer from Flint, Michigan, who defied all odds to become the first woman in U.S. history to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. Garnering an impressive 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes, this film has captured the hearts of audiences and critics alike. Ryan Destiny’s stunning portrayal of Shields is earning widespread praise, with many calling it her breakout performance. To embody Shields’ strength and determination, Ryan Destiny dove deep—training both physically and mentally while researching Shields’ life and story. Already an accomplished singer, Destiny found a personal connection to Shields,...

Brian Tyree Henry and Ryan Destiny have teamed up for The Fire Inside. Henry has been on a roll in recent years, parlaying his breakout success from Atlanta into roles in blockbuster franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Godzilla x Kong, and Transformers. Destiny's breakout role is in The Fire Inside itself, as she received critical acclaim when the film played at the festival circuit this past fall.

That praise for Destiny came for her leading role as Claressa Shields in The Fire Inside. Known to many today as a four-weight world champion boxer and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Shields is one of the most accomplished combat sports athletes of all time. Destiny's portrayal chronicles Shields's teenage years up to her first run at the Olympic Games. By her side throughout it all is Coach Jason Crutchfield, portrayed by Henry. Crutchfield's coaching goes beyond the squared circle, as The Fire Inside...

Quick Links Who Is Claressa Shields in 'The Fire Inside?' How Accurate is 'The Fire Inside' to Shields’ Story?

The holidays are nearing their end, and for anyone eager to go back to the theater, there are an unusual number of good options to choose from. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a jolly surprise and the best in its franchise, Nosferatu continues Robert Eggers’ horror hot-streak, and the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown is incredibly solid. Of course, there’s also the option to rewatch a little film called Wicked yet again.

However, one of the most unexpected surprises was The Fire Inside, the directorial debut of Black Panther cinematographer Rachel Morrison. The film tells the true story of Claressa Shields (Ryan Destiny), a high-schooler and aspiring boxer looking to compete in the Olympics. With help from her trainer, Jason Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry), she...

Claressa Shields's life story is on display in The Fire Inside. Back in 2016, Universal Pictures began work on an adaptation of the Olympic Gold Medalist boxer's life story, largely based on 2015 documentary T-Rex. After nearly half a decade in development and significant production delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic, The Fire Inside found a home at Amazon MGM Studios and never looked back.

"Never looking back" is an appropriate way to describe Shields's journey. Before she was capturing boxing championships across the world, Shields was rigorously training in her hometown of Flint, Michigan in the midst of her adolescence. She rose to Olympics status in her teenage years, and by the time she came home from securing the top prize, she was well on her way to trailblazing parity in women's sports.

Related The Fire Inside Review: Gritty Boxing Drama Is The Realest Sports Biopic I've Ever Seen...

Deadline’s Read the Screenplay series highlighting awards season’s buzziest movies continues with The Fire Inside, the boxing drama directed by Oscar-nominated cinematographer Rachel Morrison in her feature helming debut from a script from Oscar-winning Moonlight screenwriter Barry Jenkins.

The Amazon MGM Studios movie hit theaters on Christmas Day after having its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. It has looking at a $4.3 million gross across the five-day holiday frame.

The movie follows the true story of Claressa Shields (played by Ryan Destiny), the Flint, Michigan high schooler who with the help of her trainer Jason Crutchfield (played by Oscar-nominated Brian Tyree Henry) rose to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in women’s boxing, going on to win multiple world titles to become one of the most decorated boxers of all time. The focus of her rise is their strong relationship. Jazmin Headley and Kylee D. Allen also star.

Sports biopics are hot right now, with new additions heading to the box office — between the male wrestling-centered Unstoppable and the female boxing-focused The Fire Inside, the latter hitting theaters this week. From Oscar-winning writer Barry Jenkins, The Fire Inside chronicles the harrowing journey of real-life fighter Claressa Shields, who is now a two-time gold medalist. From Flint, Michigan, the triumphant boxer now has a biopic to her name that chronicles her tough rise to international stardom. The film stars Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry.

MovieWeb recently caught up with Shields in-person in Los Angeles to learn about her involvement in this film about her as an EP and why the timing of the 29-year-old's biopic is unique, especially in comparison to other acclaimed boxing movies that have been released over the past decades. Says Shields, "I mean, we've seen the Rockys and the Creeds, but those are, like,...

Rachel Morrison is stepping into a feature film director's chair for the first time with The Fire Inside. The 46-year-old talent has been working in Hollywood for over two decades, making a name for herself as a cinematographer on high-profile projects like Fruitvale Station and Black Panther. Morrison began to dabble in directing in the mid-2010s and into the 2020s, notably helming episodes of The Morning Show and The Mandalorian.

The Fire Inside tasks Morrison with telling the tale of Claressa Shields, a boxer from Flint, Michigan who rose to Olympic Gold Medalist status while still in her teenage years. The film chronicles Claressa's struggles both inside and outside of the squared circle, as her in-ring victories did not easily correspond to wins of equal measure in the real world. Claressa is portrayed by Ryan Destiny (Grown-ish) in the film.

Related The Fire Inside Review: Gritty Boxing Drama Is...

The holiday box office has been known to deliver a twist or two, and it happened again on Christmas Day as Disney’s “Mufasa” is rebounding from a weak $35 million opening weekend to take the No. 1 spot on the Wednesday charts from Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.”

Lifted by positive audience word-of-mouth, increased family turnout and support from Imax screens, Barry Jenkins’ prequel to “The Lion King” earned $15 million on Christmas Day, just over double the $7.1 million that it earned on Christmas Eve. Exhibition sources say they believe “Mufasa” will continue to enjoy a lead over “Sonic 3” through the weekend with a projected 5-day extended weekend total of $65 million, enough to bring its domestic total to $115 million.

Though it won’t get anywhere near $1 billion, let alone the $1.65 billion of the 2019 “Lion King” remake, “Mufasa” is shrugging off the threat of becoming a box office flop after a poor pre-Xmas start.

Ryan Destiny said her role playing iconic female boxer Claressa “T-Rex” Shields in “The Fire Inside” helped her develop a new level of trust in herself as an actress.

“I think I found a lot of trust in myself. Obviously, a lot of different levels of discipline that I don’t think I’ve had to use before,” Destiny told TheWrap. “I knew that this film would challenge me in a way that scared me, but I used that fear to my advantage in a lot of ways. I just wanted it so bad, and I knew that I could execute it, and I knew that it would be something that was so different than what anyone’s ever seen me in. Other people couldn’t see it, but I could see it in myself.”

She added that “the entire journey itself has just put a lot more confidence in myself,...

“The Fire Inside” starring Ryan Destiny (“Star”) is ready to get in the ring at the box office, as the film hits theaters on Wednesday.

The film is centered on the rise of Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, who is arguably the greatest female boxer of all time, making history as the first American woman to win gold in boxing and is the first American boxer (male or female) to win back-to-back gold metals at the Olympic Games. Ryan Destiny portrays the iconic boxer in longtime cinmetagrapher Rachel Morrison’s (“Black Panther”) feature directorial debut.

The film is produced by three-time Oscar-winning writer, director and producer Barry Jenkins. Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch.

When does “The Fire Inside” come out?

“The Fire Inside” comes out on Wednesday, Dec. 25.

Is “The Fire Inside” in theaters?

Yes, “The Fire Inside” will hit theaters on Wednesday, Dec. 25. Check out the listings below for tickets.

Ryan Destiny stars as Claressa Shields in director Rachel Morrison’s The Fire Inside.

An Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo Credit: Sabrina Lantos

© 2024 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved. Ryan Destiny brings grit and grace to the screen in The Fire Inside, a powerful portrayal of the life of Claressa ‘T-Rex’ Shields. The film captures the incredible story of Shields, a boxer from Flint, Michigan, who broke boundaries to become the first woman in U.S. history to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. Destiny’s performance has been met with high praise, showcasing her dedication to portraying Shields relentless drive and courage. Preparing for the role wasn’t just about physical endurance—it was also about bonding with her trainer, Rob Sally. This relationship gave Destiny a deeper understanding of the trainer-boxer connection, a pivotal element in Shields’ story. That dynamic brought an emotional layer to the film,...

Rachel Morrison’s directorial debut The Fire Inside chronicles the rise of a young boxer from Flint, Michigan, to the biggest Olympic stages. Having previously worked on projects such as Mudbound and Black Panther, Morrison’s upcoming movie is based on the real-life story of Claressa Shields (Ryan Destiny), an aspiring female boxer who punches her way through the male-dominated sport - all while being in high school. Catching the attention of volunteer coach Jason Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry), Claressa is immediately molded into a swift, fast-jabbing machine on the ring.

Last Updated on December 26, 2024

Plot: The true story of Olympic boxer Claressa “T-Rex” Shields (Ryan Destiny).

Review: Everyone loves a good, inspirational sports biopic, especially around the holidays. Amazon/MGM has had a lot of luck in that department, with Creed III being one of their highest-grossing movies, while last year’s The Boys in the Boat became an unlikely box-office success. They’ve got another solid one this year with The Fire Inside, which tells a story that feels tailor-made for the big screen.

Women’s boxing (along with Mma and wrestling) has become increasingly popular over the years, and Claressa Shields has quickly become a legend. The Fire Inside, which is written by Moonlight’s Barry Jenkins, and directed by famed cinematographer Rachel Morrison (Black Panther) tells her life story in an intriguing way that departs from the usual sports biopic formula.

For those who don’t know,...

Well, it seems as though we’ve arrived at another end-of-the-year inspirational true-life sports story award contender. Last year it was The Boys In The Boat and The Iron Claw. And both of them have an Olympic connection to this new film (the latter just touched on the gold in its first act). But that’s where the comparisons end as this story happened less than twenty years ago. Oh, and the “biggie”, is that this film concerns a young (mostly high school-age) African-American woman. Now her coach plays a big role here, though it is in support of her journey. But the biggest difference is that that journey doesn’t end with the medal ceremony, all wrapped up nicely with the star-spangled ribbon. No, she forges ahead due to her courage, skills, and determination fueled by The Fire Within.

The film begins with a flashback to a few years...

A splash of auteurish openings on Christmas Day, with Focus Features’ Nosferatu, Searchlight’s A Complete Unknown, A24’s naughty Babygirl and Rachel Morrison’s The Fire Inside, is poised to send the holiday week’s box office to a potential $280 million tally. That puts it on par with last year’s holiday week that was boosted by Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Wonka, Migration and The Color Purple.

Christmas week 2021 holds the post-Covid record for the most made by movies with $292.4M during that time, a majority of that from Sony/Marvel Studios’ Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Still, it’s interesting. Even though there isn’t a massive, oxygen-sucking tentpole in the marketplace, the heavy supply of family titles in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Mufasa, Wicked and Moana 2. plus the new offerings, are making for a lucrative season. Comscore projects we’ll end 2024 at $8.75 billion, just 3% shy of 2023’s $9 billion tally.

There's nothing quite like a good boxing drama, especially one based on a true story. While Sylvester Stallone's Rocky is a timeless dose of adrenaline, and Raging Bull is one of Scorsese's best, Amazon's latest offering could be a future classic. The Fire Inside, starring Ryan Destiny, Brian Tyree Henry, Judy Greer, and Jessica Grossi, tells the story of Claressa 'T-Rex' Shields, arguably the most famous and accomplished female boxer of all-time.

Ahead of The Fire Inside's official release on December 25, reviews are making their way online. The first 46 reviews from critics mark The Fire Inside as a strong heavyweight contender for one of the best boxing movies of all-time. The film currently sits at a staggering 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. While the film made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year, newer reviews have dropped online, and they're equally glowing. "A moving and...

We know the story, or some version of it: tenacious underdog athlete, humble origins, big dreams. She trains at a dumpy gym with the help of a fatherly coach, overcoming economic disparity to make it past the nationals, all the way to the international stage. Back in her blighted hometown...

Among Marvel Studios' vast collection of comics-to-film adaptations, the 2021 ensemble epic Eternals is somewhat of an anomaly, and its future on the big screen remains uncertain. Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry is just one of the big names who helped bring a certain group of alien immortals to life for the sprawling 156-minute feature directed by Academy Award-winner Chloé Zhao. Henry was one of the fan-favorites as Phastos, a genius inventor of weapons and related technologies for the Eternals amid their quest to save the universe from mass destruction.

MovieWeb recently caught up with Henry at the Los Angeles junket for his latest acclaimed film The Fire Inside, where the talented performer also took time to weigh in on Marvel's plans for the franchise's future and if he'd ever welcome a return to the favorable character for a future film or even TV series.

"Look, I was able to live...

When moviegoers think of Barry Jenkins, what first comes to mind is probably "director" and Moonlight. But let's not forget he won his sole Academy Award for writing, having adapted Tarell Alvin McCraney's renowned play for the screen. He quickly followed that up with the acclaimed 2018 film If Beale Street Could Talk, but that was the last feature film we'd see from Jenkins (though his 10-part TV series The Underground Railroad is a masterpiece). That is, until this month, with two of Jenkins' films being released in as many weeks.

Jenkins penned the script for the new sports drama The Fire Inside, but someone else directed his script for the first time — Rachel Morrison, the first woman to be nominated for the Best Cinematography Oscar (for Mudbound). She was the Dp for Black Panther, Fruitvale Station, and other acclaimed films. On the flip side, Jenkins is directing (but did not write) the new film,...

The ascent from starring on a hit television show to booking the lead in a buzzy film has become increasingly common with this new class of movie stars. But where things went drastically different for actress Ryan Destiny is that her Independent Spirit Award-nominated performance in boxing biopic “The Fire Inside” was five years in the making—delayed by a global pandemic, the film going into turnaround, a new studio picking it up, and her primary scene partner being recast.

Speaking to IndieWire over Zoom about her turn in Oscar-nominated cinematographer Rachel Morrison’s directorial debut as Olympic champion boxer Claressa Shields, the only American in her sport to win back-to-back gold medals, Destiny said “I definitely didn’t think I would get it. Because I knew it was so competitive. Something like this, a project like this, especially with Barry Jenkins attached and Rachel attached, and the studio at that time,...

Claressa Shields is hands down one of the greatest boxers of all time. Between being the first American woman to win a gold medal in boxing, the first American boxer to win consecutive medals, and holding the four major world titles across two weight classes in the four-belt era, her myriad accomplishments speak for themselves. The Fire Inside, the directorial debut of famed cinematographer Rachel Morrison, tells the story of Shields' unusual rise to greatness from the underserved community of Flint, Michigan. It's a great and engaging look at a real-life champion who overcame myriad hurdles, but certain narrative choices impede its dramatic potential.

The two-time Olympic gold medal-winning boxer’s life has been turned into rousing drama The Fire Inside, written by Oscar winner Barry Jenkins

Claressa Shields was two months removed from defending her Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games when an email from Hollywood landed in her inbox. Universal Studios wanted to make a movie about her life story. For Shields, who had spent much of her career fighting for recognition in a sport that marginalized women when they weren’t ignoring them entirely, the offer felt like more than just a career milestone. It was a rare mainstream acknowledgment of her achievements and a chance to amplify to a wider audience the struggles she had endured in and out of the ring.

“I never checked my emails back then,” Shields says with a laugh. “But I saw the subject line, and it said something about a movie.

The Fire Inside may not be the quintessential boxing film, nor is it an overtly emotional tale of overcoming great odds to become a champion. But, it is a solid and entertaining story of two people that find each other and connect to make each other better than they were separately and manage to achieve greatness alongside of one another. In that way, it is perhaps a film sorely needed at this particular moment in time.

The film follows Claressa Shields (Ryan Destiny) as she begins training with Coach Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry) to ultimately competes as part of the American Olympic team, becoming the first American woman to win the gold medal in the event. It is an inspirational story rife with challenges that Shields overcomes with the support of those around her and an unwavering belief in herself.

Working from a script by Barry Jenkins (If Beale Street Could Talk...

When she competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics, Claressa Shields became the first American woman to win a gold medal in boxing. It was the culmination of a lifelong struggle to make her way as a fighter. Growing up on the edge of poverty in Flint, Michigan, Shields trained with coach Jason Crutchfield in a long-term collaboration. Nicknamed “T-Rex” for her short arm span, she was the subject of the 2015 documentary T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold. In 2019, Oscar-nominated cinematographer Rachel Morrison chose a project about Shields for her feature directing debut. Working from a script by Barry Jenkins, […]

The post “I Keep My Local 600 Card So I Can Operate”: Rachel Morrison on The Fire Inside first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

When she competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics, Claressa Shields became the first American woman to win a gold medal in boxing. It was the culmination of a lifelong struggle to make her way as a fighter. Growing up on the edge of poverty in Flint, Michigan, Shields trained with coach Jason Crutchfield in a long-term collaboration. Nicknamed “T-Rex” for her short arm span, she was the subject of the 2015 documentary T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold. In 2019, Oscar-nominated cinematographer Rachel Morrison chose a project about Shields for her feature directing debut. Working from a script by Barry Jenkins, […]

The post “I Keep My Local 600 Card So I Can Operate”: Rachel Morrison on The Fire Inside first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

Rachel Morrison’s feature directorial debut, The Fire Inside, uses the framework of a traditional boxing drama without ever being constrained by it. Telling the true story of trailblazing boxer Claressa “T-Rex” Shield, it has the fundamentals of the genre down pat, from the inspiring speeches to the robust training montages to the exhilarating fights scenes. But the nuanced script, keen-eyed direction, and a pair of powerhouse lead performances elevate the film into something richer, realer, and more moving.

We first meet Claressa (Jazmin Headley) as a stringy young kid from Flint, Michigan, walking to the local gym, where she silently stares down the boys until someone agrees to train her. That someone is Jason Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry), an affable ex-boxer who could’ve been a contender back in the day and now trains the next generation of potential champions. After putting Claressa through her paces, Jason confesses to his wife,...

Remy Ma and Papoose are no more, and the stars of Love & Hip Hop are reacting to the separation. News of their split has been messy from the start. Ma accused Papoose of cheating with boxer Claressa Shields. Shields is currently in the news, as a film about her life titled The Fire Inside will be released soon. Ma is attacking her for sleeping with Papoose and having a relationship with him. Papoose allegedly fell asleep on the phone with Shields while in Ma's home, which Papoose apparently refuses to leave.

Enter our contest by following the link at the bottom of this page for your chance to win a pair passes to a preview of the new film The Fire Inside on Wednesday, December 18 2024 at 7:00pm at the Mjr Troy theater!

Synopsis: The Fire Inside is the inspirational true story of Claressa Shields, arguably the greatest female boxer of all time. Claressa, a high school Junior from Flint, Michigan, aided by her tough-love coach, Jason Crutchfield, pushes past all limitations to become the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. But even at the pinnacle of success, Claressa has to reckon with the fact that not all dreams are created equal, and the real fight has only just begun.

About The Film

Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport Cast: Ryan Destiny, Brian Tyree Henry Director: Rachel Morrison Screenplay: Barry Jenkins Producer: Elishia Holmes, p.g.a., Barry Jenkins,...

Cinematographer now turned director Rachel Morrison knows a thing to two about managing an impressive feat and breaking boundaries as a woman. In 2018, Morrison, best known for her work on Fruitvale Station and Black Panther, became the first female cinematographer ever nominated for an Academy Award. Reflecting on garnering her nomination for Netflix’s Mudbound, she acknowledges the hoops women in the industry have to go through. “Cinematography is a craft that nobody pictures women in. So I’m used to being the exception to the rule,” Morrison says,” Realizing [that] so many women actually can relate to this idea of it’s not enough to be good at the thing you do. You have to present a certain way and carry yourself a certain way.”

It makes sense then that Morrison’s first foray into feature film directing, following a stint of TV directorial debuts for American Crime Story, The Mandalorian and The Morning Show,...

Growing up in Mill Valley, Monica Barbaro played piano, flute, violin, guitar and ukulele. But not for very long — and not particularly well. “I started piano five times and tried to teach myself some guitar and some ukulele,” says Barbaro, who plays Joan Baez in “A Complete Unknown.” “I always wanted to play cello, but in school, when I said that, my friend laughed at me, and she was doing violin so, like the scared little kid I was, I took violin. And I hated it, the sound of those high-pitched notes right up in my ear.”

In other words, Barbaro was essentially starting from scratch when it came to playing a professional musician on screen.

She’s not alone. Ryan Destiny had “zero” boxing experience before playing two-time Olympic champion Claressa Shields in “The Fire Inside.” In fact, while Destiny is an actor, a singer and a dancer, one...

The sports biopic is certainly popular, with movies such as Enter the Dragon, Ali, and I-Tonya proving the genre is one of the best-loved in cinema. For that reason, all eyes are often drawn when the next big sports star is announced to have their story told on screen, with the upcoming tale of Claressa Shields, one already known and adored across the world.

by Eurocheese

I have to admit that on the last day of AFI Fest, I was not particularly excited to see a boxing film. Oscar seems to have an affinity for the topic, but sports films in general don't resonate with me. Shame on me for underestimating Barry Jenkins as a screenwriter and for not having higher hopes for cinematographer Rachel Morrison’s directorial debut. The Fire Inside, much like its protagonist, proves itself again and again: It’s a compelling, smart drama with a scope that stretches far beyond the game.

The film is based on the true story of Claressa Shields who overcame obstacles all her life in Flint, Michigan on her way to becoming an Olympian...

It’s one of the oddest and most dismaying of all Academy Awards factoids: The Best Cinematography category was introduced at the first ceremony in 1929, but it took 90 years and 596 nominations before the category had its first female nominee. Rachel Morrison broke that nine-decade male monopoly, the longest stretch for any gender-neutral Oscar category, in 2017 for her work on Dee Rees’ “Mudbound,” and the following year, she became the first female cinematographer to make a Marvel movie with “Black Panther.”

Those two films are among the standouts in a career that has also seen her serve as director of photography on “Fruitvale Station,” “Dope” and “Seberg,” and that has now expanded to include her feature directorial debut, “The Fire Inside.” The Amazon MGM Studios release stars Ryan Destiny as real-lifebOlympic boxer Claressa Shields, the first woman to win a gold medal for the U.S. and the only American boxer...

Ten years ago, in 2014, DeJ Loaf seemed on the cusp of superstardom. The Detroit rapper broke out that year with “Try Me,” a syrupy hit where her angelic harmonies captivated us even as she unfurled threats to kill our whole “fomily.” After that, she jumped on Eminem’s “Detroit vs. Everybody,” then released platinum singles with Big Sean, Lil Durk, Kid Ink, and Future. She had the image and distinctive voice to become a rap heavyweight, but then her releases got more sparse. Until recently, she had only dropped a...

The EnergaCamerimage International Film Festival has unveiled the first batch of movies selected for its 2024 main competition — a trio of aesthetically adventurous stories about women.

The selection includes Jacques Audiard’s Cannes jury prize winner Emilia Pérez, Magnus von Horn’s arthouse drama The Girl with the Needle, and Rachel Morrison’s boxing biopic The Fire Inside. Camerimage organizers will unveil the rest of this year’s competition selection — which usually totals around a dozen movies — in the days ahead.

As previously announced, this year’s Camerimage competition will be assessed by a panel led by jury president and two-time Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett.

Emilia Pérez and The Girl with the Needle both premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May — and both were selected by THR‘s critics as among the best films of the 2024 edition.

“Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez and the divine Karla Sofia Gascón light up Audiard’s...

“What you think about girls’ boxing?” The man asking that is Jason Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry), the coach of a boys’ boxing club in Flint, Michigan. It’s 2012, and five years before he’d allowed one girl to join his club (even though it was against protocol): a coiled 11-year-old scowler named Claressa Shields, played by Jazmin Headley and then, as she grows up, by Ryan Destiny.

Claressa, the heroine of “The Fire Inside,” has the dogged determination to pummel her way into the ring. It’s not as if she talks her way in — Claressa, as we learn, doesn’t say much. She speaks with her fists. And one of the reasons she’s so brilliant at using them is that, by her own admission, she likes to hit people. She’s a bully, and owns it. She’s coming from a place of severe hardship: father behind bars,...