EXCLUSIVE: Wrekin Hill Entertainment has acquired worldwide rights to Gary Stretch’s documentary Through My Father’s Eyes, which follows the life and early career of UFC fighter Ronda Rousey from her humble beginnings living in a car to a UFC trailblazer demanding equal pay in a male-dominated industry. Stretch also produced with Pete Antico. Wrekin Hill is eyeing a theatrical release in the spring.
Stretch is a one-time WBC boxing champion-turned-first-time director. He discovered Rousey during a chance meeting in 2010 with Gene LeBelle, the “Father of MMA,” at the Hayastan Academy in North Hollywood. Stretch had a hand in training her and, along with Antico, captured her during her early days as an unknown fighter. That early footage evolved into a five-year project.
Rousey, who won a bronze medal in judo for Team USA at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, had been the most dominant female MMA fighter in the world before she lost her title to Holly Holm a year ago in Australia. She makes her ring return December 30 against Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 in Las Vegas.
Music for the film was provided by Grammy winner Damon Elliott, the son of Dionne Warwick, and the film was edited by Oscar winner Scott Conrad (Rocky).
The deal for Through My Father’s Eyes was negotiated by Wrekin Hill president Chris Ball and Hirsch Wallestein on behalf of Stretch and Antico.
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