‘Jojo Rabbit’ Star Thomasin McKenzie To Play Olympic Gymnast Kerri Strug In ‘Perfect’
Olympic gymnastKerri Strugbecame an American hero overnight thanks to her gold medal-winning final vault at the 1996 summer Olympic games. The story took the nation by storm, and now it will be told on the big screen inPerfect, a new film that will be directed byOlivia Wilde(Booksmart). After an extensive search for a young star to take the lead role, the filmmaker has chosenJojo RabbitstarThomasin McKenzieto vault into the “intimate and unflinching portrait of grit and determination.”
If you’re not familiar with Kerri Strug’s story, here’s a great profile of her famous moment from the Olympics:
For those who don’t know, Kerri Strug’s gold-medal winning vault at the 1996 summer Olympics came after she had torn two ligaments in her ankle and damaged her tendons. With those injuries, she still took one final victorious vault to win the medal, and the famous image that accompanied the publicity tour she went on afterwards included her coachBéla Károlyicarrying her to the medals podium. It’s truly an incredible tale of athleticism.
Olivia Wilde has been busy in post-production on her upcoming movieDon’t Worry Darling, but she’s also been taking the time to meet with a lot of young actresses to take the lead role inPerfect. Deadline says Thomasin McKenzie blew away the executives with her audition, and now the job belongs to her.
When the project was first announced over a year ago, Wilde said, “It is an excruciatingly beautiful underdog story that will thrust the audience into the heart of Kerri Strug with unblinking, raw honesty. It is an epic sports movie that will deliver on all the wish-fulfilment that makes those films so thrilling to watch.” She also said it’s “unlike any sports movie you have seen before,” which seems like publicity fluff, but Wilde is a filmmaker on the rise after debuting with the terrificBooksmart, so maybe she has a trick up her sleeve.
Wilde will be directing from a script byRonnie Sandahl, and both will also executive produce the movie. Joining them as producers will beNik BowerandJeremy Baxterthrough Riverstone Pictures andThomas BenskiandMoss Barclaythrough Pulse Films. Plus,Deepak Nayarof Riverstone andMarisa Cliffordof Pulse will act as executive producers. Production is slated to begin early in 2022.
