Hollywood star Blake Lively is set to star in a new MMA related action-drama movie called ‘Bruised.’
Lively, who is represented by UFC owners WME-IMG, will star as a single mother and disgraced former MMA fighter who has to get back into the cage in order to give her son a better life after the authorities threaten to take him away from her.
The 29-year-old actress was the star of the popular TV show ‘Gossip Girl’ and has also featured in numerous movies over the years, including fronting last year’s hit survival thriller, ‘The Shallows’, which raked in almost $120 million at the box office.
‘Bruised’ will be directed by Nick Cassavetes, also represented by WME-IMG, who’s previous taking the helm on the set of movies like ‘The Notebook’, ‘John Q’, ‘My Sister’s Keeper’ and ‘Alpha Dog’.
Cassevetes was also tagged to direct the ‘Road House’ reboot starring Ronda Rousey, though it’s believed that movie is on-hold for the time being after the star slumped to a two-fight losing streak in the Octagon.
There has been a resurgence in combat sports related dramas in recent years, most notable from an MMA perspective in the shape of ‘Warriors’ a 2011 movie starring Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton and Nick Nolte, which was well received by critics, but only drew $23 million at the box office.
While the basic plot is well-trodden, opting for a female lead at a time when women’s MMA is on the rise is worthy of note.
That being said, there have been boxing dramas in the past that have focused on female fighting, such as Michelle Rodriguez’s Hollywood breakout role in ‘Girlfight’ back in 2000, and Hillary Swank’ Oscar winning perfomance for the Clint Eastwood directed, ‘Million Dollar Baby’ in 2004.
