Deadline's Read the Screenplay series focuses on the buzziest movies of awards season including The Fire Inside which is a boxing drama directed by Rachel Morrison with screenplay from Barry Jenkins the Oscar-winning screenwriter who wrote Moonlight. Rachel Morrison previously known for her Oscar nominated cinematography in Mudbound makes her debut feature helming the camera in this production with writer Barry Jenkins crafting this script that went to the production team in Los Angeles.
The Amazon MGM Studios movie titled The Fire Inside premiered in theaters on Christmas Day earning only 4.3 million dollars across its five-day opening period. The production initially started in Toronto with the world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival before coming to theaters as Christmas season release.
Real-Life Tale of Claressa Shields: An Inspirational Story Of Resilience and Triumph
The Fire Inside details real life story of Claressa Shields portrayed by Ryan Destiny who with her trainer Jason Crutchfield portrayed by Oscar nominated actor Brian Tyree Henry achieved great success by winning two Olympic gold medals. The film further illustrates her rise and several world titles which led to her status as most decorated boxers. Jason Crutchfield becomes another character in this tale showcasing his significant impact and importance. Jazmin Headley and Kylee D Allen also have roles in this film which add to overall cast value.
Director Rachel Morrison emphasized at Deadline’s Contenders Film event in Los Angeles that this movie is an inspiring sports tale and simultaneously tells an inspiring story about living with heart and resilience. The director mentioned at the Deadline's Contenders Film: Los Angeles event in front of an audience that this film intends on revealing aspects of personal struggles in life. This focus creates greater meaning around athletic accomplishments within narrative of the film.
Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry Recognized with Nominations for Acting Talents In the Movie
Ryan Destiny a known singer and actress recognized for her work in the Fox series Star has been nominated for the Breakthrough Performer award at the Gotham Awards. Ryan Destiny is also recognized for Best Lead Performance at the Independent Spirit Awards highlighting Ryan's versatility as a performer in both music and movies. Brian Tyree Henry who received an Oscar nod in 2023 for Causeway and also an Emmy for Atlanta scored a Gotham nomination for Outstanding Supporting Performance further showcasing his acting strength across projects. Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry both highlight their talents across acting awards season for these two important and dynamic performances.
T-Rex Documentary Inspires a Deeper Look into Claressa Shields' Journey
Producer Elishia Holmes who produced this film used information that she gathered from T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold a documentary about Claressa Shield that brought Barry Jenkins to adapt this real life into cinematic movie experience for Amazon Studios. The documentary T-Rex focused heavily on Claressa Shield's nickname and her specific experiences with limitations because of her reach during matches and provides basis for script. Barry Jenkins of Mufasa: The Lion King fame joined Morrison after initial production started further improving the scope of creative input to this high profile project. Barry Jenkins further convinced Morrison to make the move from cinematographer to directing after they shared their common creative passion.
Five-Year Journey: Ryan Destiny’s Grueling Boxing Training Process for Lead Role In The Fire Inside
The development process for “The Fire Inside” spanned nearly five years including an initial round of training during 2020 that had to be redone 2 years later for actor Ryan Destiny who portrays Shields in this production. Ryan Destiny’s acting required a challenging process where Destiny trained three to four months while needing an intense training regime in 2020 before having to stop for over 2 years. The long time and demanding process allowed Ryan Destiny additional opportunities to embody the role with an amazing attention to her own growth which could be witnessed on film. Destiny notes that the required dedication pushed her physical limits and expanded her understanding of boxing.
Brian Tyree Henry jokes about watching Ryan Destiny’s strict training diet of brown rice and her irritability that she was managing for the film production. Brian Tyree Henry said that he enjoyed teasing Ryan Destiny's lack of food intake while enjoying his own snacks saying “That’s the great thing about being a coach. You don’t really have to train” further establishing friendly ribbing and banter between colleagues.
Actor Brian Tyree Henry an Avid Boxing Fan Appreciates Claressa Shields’s Untold Story and Historic Success
Ryan Destiny stated she had a minimal understanding of boxing prior to taking this role for The Fire Inside but developed admiration for all athletes of that level during filming with great respect and appreciation of those who box at a high level. Brian Tyree Henry also clarified his intense love for the sport adding that he avidly bets on games when able. Henry claims he feels angered that he did not know of the Claressa Shield’s incredible story in advance further showing what kind of injustice this production tries to resolve in current culture. He states that Claressa Shields being a Black woman from Flint Michigan who did something significant but society hid this information was major factor in him agreeing to be part of the production and was main reason he took role which made the entire situation worthwhile.
Brian Tyree Henry’s words shows both social issues and injustices for women's sports while highlighting black woman’s accomplishments further stating there is a problem with the sports world not acknowledging the impact and power in her unique story. Brian Tyree Henry's understanding and care of story allows him to show this as another social issue that this project aims to improve during release.
Claressa Shields’s Story Carries Great Responsibility: Destiney’s View On Authenticity During Filming Process
Ryan Destiny acknowledged the huge responsibility when taking on the role of Claressa Shields with additional pressure for approval from Claressa because of her known opinions. She mentioned how she was incredibly grateful and honored for opportunity and understood the magnitude of doing justice to her legacy especially in movies of this quality because they do not come often. Her awareness as an actor gave her more purpose with desire for great results that showed through all production efforts. Ryan Destiny acknowledged her responsibility for accurately portraying the athlete because Claressa Shields would absolutely voice if displeased which made production experience very authentic.
Ryan Destiny took her job extremely serious making a goal of showing veracity in actions and style and technique showcasing a deep connection between player and character within this film. Henry jokes at Ryan's hard training routines saying her hooks and jabs replicated the power of Claressa and joking about her getting into issues for not acting properly in that role. Henry further applauds Ryan Destiny's bravery for her work showing a powerful image as the main character saying that they praise men that do that sort of training daily which she performed with grace and dedication during film creation .
Intricate Portrayals of Character and Personal Struggle Through Unique Scenarios In The Fire Inside Movie
The scene where Destiny breaks up with boyfriend had a level of smooth action during ring exit that impressed even Henry showing how she improved during training and the length she went to show accurate physical control. Ryan Destiny stated she needed to have an equal balance between athleticism and personal interactions noting a need to seamlessly blend physical and personal expressions. Henry describes needing to physically engage to get her attention for particular shot which exemplifies great team work between a coach and athlete further proving the dedication of all those that took place in film development. Destiny adds further points about black woman actors and the pressure of looks with film touching on topics that resonate in daily life. She mentioned in movie scenes about having makeup be part of her routine she could fully feel what it was like to be seen a certain way so she could truly bring that struggle to light within production scope.
Ryan Destiny also said while she appreciated being compared to Claressa who is known for confidence her own process involved many years before feeling self acceptance in life. As a black woman within this film industry Destiny explained how people try to mold women in to pre-planned ideas and expectations further saying how this film provides an example to break those molds which added her personal experiences into greater message to the film as a whole for audiences to learn and to grow from its contents. The movie “The Fire Inside” showcases importance of acknowledging the importance and strength when women decide their own definition of success, therefore defying limitations for those in all places who have felt defined by others.
Brian Tyree Henry Shares Update Regarding “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” Release
Henry and Destiny humorously address “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” that was also filmed by Henry which might cause delays with project output. Brian Tyree Henry jokingly mentioned “it takes time but we have to make you wait a little bit. It’s coming. There is not going to be a dry eye in the house” and joking that it will not have “a nice little bow” that wraps the entire experience as most films tend to do. He further hinted that those that watch that production should expect very unexpected results. This conversation with Ryan Destiny gave a much needed breather in the midst of all serious information about film making as the press interviews ended. This is all to provide further anticipation for Spider-man series completion.