Searchlight Pictures’ has closed a $15m worldwide deal on gymnastics Olympic gold medal drama Perfect for Olivia Wilde to direct.
Riverstone Pictures and Pulse Films are producing the drama about US gymnast Kerri Strug, who defied the pain of an injured ankle to earn Team USA’s first gold medal at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996.
Strug was in such pain after her final gold-clinching vault that her coach carried her to the podium. She was later taken to hospital and diagnosed with tendon damage and severe sprain.
FilmNation handles international sales and CAA Media Finance arranged financing and represents US rights to the project. Reports that Searchlight was leading the pack for Perfect first emerged in Berlin.
Ronnie Sandahl, who earned acclaim for his script to Borg/McEnroe, adapted the screenplay from Landing On My Feet, A Diary Of Dreams by Strug and John P. Lopez.
Producing are Nik Bower for Riverstone, Thomas Benski for Pulse Films, Jeremy Baxter, and Moss Barclay. Wilde is on board as executive produce alongside Deepak Nayer, Marisa Clifford and Sandahl.
Wilde earned plaudits for Booksmart, her high school comedy and feature directorial debut that made a splash on the US awards circuit last season.
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