Dwayne Johnson Film “Fighting With My Family” Heads to the Stage

Producers are now moving ahead with a wrestling musical based on Fighting With My Family. Recently, they confirmed that the 2019 film will become a live stage production. Notably, Dwayne Johnson supports the project through his production company.

As a result, the team aims to present the real life story of British wrestler Saraya Knight to theatre audiences in a fresh way.

Originally, the film starred Florence Pugh alongside Johnson. It told the story of Saraya’s rise from a wrestling family in Norwich to fame in WWE. Now, however, producers see even more potential in a stage version.

In fact, they believe the story blends emotion, humour, and performance in a way that suits live theatre. Therefore, the transition feels natural. Dwayne Johnson also shared his excitement. He said the show would be “an absolute blast” for audiences. Furthermore, Dwayne Johnson added that the story fits live performance with ease.

From Film Story to Live Stage

To begin with, the team at Tilted Musicals is leading the project. Miranda Cooper, a songwriter, works closely with producer Sam Hodges. At the same time, Jon Brittain is writing the script. Meanwhile, Cooper collaborates with Nick Coler on the soundtrack. Together, they aim to create a lively and engaging show that stands on its own.

Importantly, the story comes from a 2012 documentary. It followed Saraya and her wrestling family closely. Her father performed as “Rowdy” Ricky Knight. Similarly, her mother used names like Sweet Saraya in the ring. Because of this, both parents influenced her career in strong ways. As a result, their story will sit at the centre of the stage version. Their bold personalities and close bond will drive the emotional tone of the show.

Moreover, Cooper explained that the musical will reach more than wrestling fans. In particular, she pointed out that wrestling already feels like theatre. It has heroes, villains, and strong drama. Because of this, it works well in a musical format. In addition, the show will highlight themes like family, identity, and belonging. Consequently, these ideas can connect with a wide audience.

At the same time, the music will reflect the family’s style. At first, the team drew ideas from Britpop. However, they later expanded the sound. Now, the soundtrack includes different British influences. For example, it blends electronic music and drum and bass. As a result, this mix matches the bold nature of the characters. It also helps the show feel fresh and energetic.

Meanwhile, Stephen Merchant, who directed the film, supports the project fully. He spoke about his earlier vision. While working on the movie, he already imagined it as a musical. In fact, he compared wrestling matches to choreographed performances. According to him, they build toward a strong and dramatic ending. Therefore, the move to stage feels like a natural step.

Even though the film built a loyal audience, the team treats the musical as a new work. For this reason, they do not expect viewers to know the movie. Instead, they want each person to enjoy the story on its own. This approach, in turn, allows more people to connect with the show.

Looking ahead, the creators will continue development through workshops later this year. During this process, they will refine both the script and the music. After that, they aim to present the first public performances in 2027. Overall, the team feels confident about the project. They believe the mix of storytelling and performance will attract a wide audience.