Chris Pratt Teams With Religion Of Sports & Reserve Entertainment On Doc About Champion Wrestler Helen Maroulis

  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

EXCLUSIVE: Chris Pratt is getting back into the ring with a documentary about World Champion wrestler Helen Maroulis.

The Marvel star has teamed up with Religion of Sports, the venture founded by Gotham Chopra, Michael Strahan, and Tom Brady, and Reserve Entertainment on Helen | Believe.

More from Deadline

Pratt will produce via his Indivisible Productions banner.

The documentary, directed by Dylan Mulick, follows Olympic champion Helen Maroulis. At just 23 years old, she was competing in her first Olympic Games in Rio against Saori Yoshida, a 13x World Champion and the most decorated wrestler of all time. Yoshida was undefeated for over four straight years – until she stepped onto the mat with Maroulis, who shocked the world and defeated Yoshida to become the first, and only, American woman to win a Gold Medal in wrestling.

Following Rio, Helen went on a winning streak, asserting herself as the best pound for pound wrestler in the world. That streak, however, came to a screeching halt in 2018, when Helen sustained a concussion mid-match. She finished wrestling the tournament, but the concussion led to a traumatic brain injury. What followed was a harrowing battle with an anxiety disorder, depression, severe PTSD and chronic pain that eventually forced Helen into an early retirement. Maroulis, the consummate champion, did what she knows best: she fought.

The doc follows Maroulis’ journey a year and a half off the mat as she trains to defend her title at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Tracy Aftergood, Darren Moorman, and Sean Devereaux also produce. UTA Independent Film Group is representing the sale of the worldwide rights to the film.

“Getting to share my story with the world, through the highs and lows, has been exciting, humbling, nerve-wracking, but ultimately transformative,” said Maroulis. “I loved getting to work with such passionate individuals who documented my journey in such a raw, honest, and authentic way. I hope others will enjoy it and that it will benefit them in a positive way.”

“I grew up as a wrestler,” added Chris Pratt. “I have such appreciation for the commitment, sacrifice, and dedication required to compete at such a high level. Helen’s story is nothing short of incredible. I knew immediately I wanted to be part of sharing it with the world.”

“I met Helen years ago when times were tough, to say the least,” said Dylan Mulick. “Having the opportunity to document her journey up close, camera in hand, has been life changing. Helen will shift the perception of what most believe a combat athlete to be and thanks to this incredible team, we were able to bring her story to the world with the care it deserves.”

Chris Pratt is represented by UTA, Rise Management and attorneys Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Mulick is repped by attorney Rob Szymanski.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.