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Will Ferrell to Lead Another Tennis Film on Battle of the Sexes Match
by Ethan Anderton
April 3, 2014
Source: THR
Back in February we learned that Danny Boyle was developing a film about the famous "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973. And since Hollywood likes movies in pairs every year now, it only makes sense that another film focusing on the same subject is in the works. THR has word that Will Ferrell is currently attached to a comedy called Match Maker that will focus on the tennis rivalry with The Secret Life of Walter Mitty writer Steven Conrad writing the script based on the ESPN Magazine article "The Match Maker: Bobby Riggs, The Mafia & The Battle of the Sexes."
What's interesting is that the film is described as a comedy. Of course, even Danny Boyle's film would likely have some humor in it since there's plety of fun to be had in the rivalry itself. More than likely this will be a comedy in the same vein that Stranger Than Fiction was a comedy but still had some hefty drama. With the real-life inspiration, it certainly doesn't sound like another Talladega Nights or Kicking and Screaming where Ferrell is just going straight for the laughs.
For those unfamiliar with the match, it's one of the most talked about events in sports history. Riggs came out of retirement at age 55 to play King in five matches to see who was truly the best after ragging on female tennis players frequently throughout his career. King came out on top and the rest is history, but it's been proposed that Riggs lost on purpose in order to erase some gambling debts to the mob. Anyway, the project is in development with Chernin Entertainment and Gary Sanchez Productions so we'll see what happens.
6 Comments
1
Even as a die hard tennis fan, I can say I have no interest in seeing one version of this, much less two. Ferrell is completely wrong for the Riggs' part, anyway. This one has no chance of making money - not enough people interested in the subject.
Captain Omniscient on Apr 3, 2014
2
yeah because so many people love figure skating and look how Blades of Steel did. Come on.
Tonya231 on Apr 4, 2014
3
im aleady laughing.
Rock n Rollllll on Apr 3, 2014
4
Still don't really care about either film. A young woman, in her prime, beat and old, sexist man. Great...
DAVIDPD on Apr 3, 2014
5
I see you fixed the director of, but the name of the writer is still wrong 😉
Enola on Apr 3, 2014
6
The first volley is a very tough shot, if an opponent is constantly being forced into playing it, as the match wears on mistakes will happen. Be sure to throw in a few cheeky returns up the line - this will keep the net-player on their toes.
adamjack679 on Jun 10, 2014
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