| Benn/Eubank | |
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| Directed by | David Harewood |
| Screenplay by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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Production company | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Benn/Eubank is an upcoming British sports film about the 1990s boxing rivalry between Tony Benn and Chris Eubank. Produced by Fulwell 73, it is directed by David Harewood in his feature length directorial debut.
Synopsis
editThe real life story of British boxing rivalry in the 1990s between middleweight boxers Chris Eubank and Tony Benn, and the WBO title fight, credited as “one of the greatest clashes to ever take place on British soil.”[1]
Cast
edit- David Jonsson as Chris Eubank
- Joshua Maynard as Nigel Benn
- Nathalie Emannuel as Sharon Benn
- O-T Fagbenle as Ambrose Mendy
- David Harewood as Adonis
Production
editThe production was initially announced in 2017 by Fulwell 73, with Kieron Hawkes directing a script from sports writer Daniël Harris.[2][3]
In 2021 David Harewood was revealed to be taking over as director of the project, with the working title ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’.[4] Daniel Harris, Kieron Hawkes and Belinda Joanne Ampah wrote the script. Producers are Fulwell 73’s Leo Pearlman and Heather Greenwood.[5] In May, 2022 David Jonsson, Joshua Maynard, Nathalie Emmanuel joined the project.[6]
Speaking to The Guardian in March 2023, Jonsson described the role as “hardly your archetypal British black man, is he? Eubank is his own lane.”[7] He also told the NME that Eubank was inspirational because “He was this incredibly driven person who got expelled from school…and had to find a way of life. He’s a complete athlete who changed the way being a young, Black – in fact, any colour – boxer was seen and the way they were paid. Anthony Joshua would never be making what he makes now if it weren’t for Chris Eubank walking into [boxing promoter] Barry Hearn’s office at the time and saying, ‘I know my worth. Pay me what I’m worth’.”[8] Jonsson was quoted by Screen Daily saying that he needed “time to gain 20 pounds of muscle” prior to filming the role.[9]
References
edit- ^ Ritman, Alex (October 5, 2021). "David Harewood to Make Directorial Debut With Boxing Drama 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (April 4, 2017). "Nigel Benn-Chris Eubank movie heads to production". Screen Daily. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
- ^ Mitchell, Robert (April 4, 2017). "Fulwell 73 to Produce Boxing Biopic 'Benn v Eubank'". Variety. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
- ^ Grater, Tom (October 5, 2021). "David Harewood To Make Directing Debut With Boxing Rivalry Drama 'For Whom The Bell Tolls'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
- ^ Parfitt, Orlando (May 21, 2022). "David Harewood's 'Benn/Eubank' sets lead cast". Screen Daily. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
- ^ Yossman, K.J. (May 20, 2022). "David Jonsson, Joshua Maynard, Nathalie Emmanuel Join David Harewood's 'Benn/Eubank' Feature Produced By Fulwell 73 (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
- ^ Segalov, Michael (March 5, 2023). "I'm not really a freedom fighter': actor David Jonsson on Tinseltown and making it on home turf". The Guardian. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
- ^ Richards, Olly (March 23, 2023). "David Jonsson: "I think I'm just a bit weird and strange"". NME. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
- ^ Salisbury, Mark (June 28, 2023). "Stars of Tomorrow 2023: David Jonsson (actor)". Screen Daily. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
External links
edit- Benn/Eubank at IMDb