Stephen Merchant's acclaimed film starring Slow Horses star confirmed to be getting stage musical adaptation

Stephen Merchant's beloved film Fighting With My Family is confirmed to be getting an on-stage musical adaptation.

The 2019 film, which starred Florence Pugh, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Slow Horses star Jack Lowden, follows the true story of WWE wrestler Paige, also known as Saraya Knight, who rose from an obscure Norwich upbringing to wrestling super stardom.

Drawing on the biopic's coming-of-age themes, the press release for the forthcoming adaptation reads: "When a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity takes her from Norwich to America’s glitzy WWE, she must confront who she really is without her family in her corner."

The movie reached huge acclaim after premiering at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival before getting a wider global release in February of that year, earning $41.5 million at the global box office.

The stage adaptation is being brought to life by collaboration from Dwayne Johnson's company Seven Bucks Productions and Tilted Musicals, as well as Merchant, Kevin Fisher and Birmingham Hippodrome – the show's likely venue.

Following the announcement Merchant said: "When we were making the film, I always thought of it like a musical: a young woman from the ‘chorus line’ fighting to get her big break, surrounded by theatrical, larger-than-life characters and huge sweeping emotions.

"I approached each wrestling match like it was a different dance number, building to a big show-stopping finale. Seeing the film reimagined for the stage feels like the natural next step. The team have captured the humour, grit and heart of the story in a way that feels both faithful to the film and completely fresh."

Meanwhile, Dwayne Johnson said: "Fighting With My Family feels exceptionally well-suited for the stage. It’s packed with personal emotion expressed through the dynamic world of wrestling, which has always been about storytelling and connecting with a live audience. Working with Stephen Merchant on the film was a truly special experience, and his brilliant work deserves this new act. As it comes to life musically, I have no doubt it will be an absolute blast for theatregoers."

The show is promising a "vibrant songbook" from composer Miranda Cooper who penned over 30 top ten singles for British acts in the 2000s and number ones for major pop acts including Girls Aloud, Sugababes, Pet Shop Boys, Alesha Dixon and Kylie Minogue.

Further details about the musical have yet to be announced, although it's clear workshops will close at the end of this year with a potential premiere for 2027.

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