Netflix is reportedly in advanced talks to snap up a mixed martial arts drama featuring Halle Berry both in front and behind the camera.
Halle Berry’s directorial debut, Bruised, an MMA drama, which also stars the Oscar-winning actor, looks like it has been all but signed up by Netflix. The film features Berry as a past-her-prime fighter in the world of mixed martial arts, trying to find a measure of redemption in both her personal and professional life.
As we recall, a few months ago, some of the mixed martial arts fighters that had been drafted onto the project were talking with enthusiasm about just how seriously Berry was taking the punishingly physical aspects of her performance. This went beyond the usual PR gushing too; the MMA athletes in question were discussing the physical gauntlet Berry had put herself through, even breaking two ribs in the process of training and filming, an excruciatingly-painful injury to work through.
It’s even more admirable when you consider that throughout the entire process, Berry was working through the pain to lead the entire production from behind the camera too.
From calling out directors with whom she’s disagreed on set, to picking up her Razzie for Catwoman in person, Berry has always possessed an impressive sense of ownership over all aspects of her career. The Oscar-winning actress is rarely a less than powerful presence on-screen and we’re sure that will extend to her work behind the camera too.
Netflix certainly seems to agree and is close to stumping up $20 million to secure the rights to Bruised, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival as a work-in-progress. More on this one as we have it.
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