Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
The forthcoming Mildred Burke biopic Queen of the Ring has launched an official website ahead of its theatrical release this March at www.queenofthering.movie.
Queen of the Ring was written and directed by Ash Avildsen (No Cover, the in-development Genghis Khan and Paradise City, among other projects), which will tell the story of influential groundbreaking women's star Mildred Burke. Avildsen scored a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance for singer Poppy, who has appeared on WWE NXT programming in the past. He is the son of Rocky and Karate Kid director John Avildsen.
The screenplay by Avildsen was based on the excellent Jeff Leen book of the same title on Burke's life, which was released back in 2009. The film was shot in Louisville, Kentucky in the summer of 2023.
Arrow star Emily Bett Rickards (Felicity Smoak in the excellent DC series) plays Burke in the film.
AEW star Kamille plays her rival June Byers.
The plot of the film - "The true story of the tough, gutsy Mildred Burke, the first world famous female pro wrestler and million dollar athlete, who becomes a champion of a growing entertainment franchise in the 1930s-1950s. Married to business partner BILLY WOLFE, the brilliant but vicious entrepreneur who pioneered women wrestlers, Mildred endured his infidelity and physical abuse despite the rise of her own power until she couldn't take it any more. With courage, panache and a loyal following, Mildred challenged the all-male hierarchy of the wrestling world as she became the first woman to headline over men."
In 2023, PWInsider.com confirmed the following additional casting of professional wrestling personalities from that time period:
-Francesca Eastwood, seen in M. Night Shyamalan's film Old will be portraying WWE Hall of Famer Mae Young, who will be seen in her 20s/30s. Eastwood is the daughter of Clint Eastwood. Young is a major supporting role.
-Leona "Babe" Gordon, who Burke defeated for the Women's World Championship will be portrayed by Marie Avgeropoulos (The 100). She has also appeared in the Steve Austin film Hunt To Kill.
-Josh Lucas will be playing Billy Wolfe. Lucas is well known for roles in a number of feature films including The Hulk, The Forever Purge, American Pycho and tons of other projects. Wolfe, as some will know, was a major promoter of women's wrestling in that time period and not a likable personality, in the least, as he exploited the women he promoted. He was also the former husband of Burke. He is one of the leads in the film.
-Deborah Ann Woll (Karen from Marvel's Daredevil, in which she was excellent) will portray Gladys "Kill em" Gillem. This is another important role in tjhe film.
-Kelli Berglund, who stars in STARZ pro wrestling series Heels as Crystal, will portray "Alabama Bombshell" Nell Stewart.
-Legendary pro wrestling promoter Al Haft will be portrayed by Cobra Kai's Martin Kove. Haft was one of the original promoters to form the National Wrestling Alliance.
-Walton Goggins will be playing legendary New York City wrestling promoter Jack Pfefer, one of the first to ever break kayfabe and reveal secrets of the business to the media at the time, but also pushed for women's wrestling to be legally allowed in NYC.
-Jim Cornette is in several scenes playing a top NWA official.
A number of these pionmpersonalities were featured years ago in the excellent Ruth Leitman women's wrestling documentary Lipstick & Dynamite
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
