Will Ferrell has taken a headlining role in Match Maker, says a story today at The Hollywood Reporter. The film, scripted by Steve Conrad, is based on the real-life 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.
Based directly on ESPN‘s recent article “The Match Maker: Bobby Riggs, The Mafia and The Battle of the Sexes” by Don Van Natta Jr., the big screen version will feature Ferrell as Riggs, an aging tennis pro whose match against the significantly younger King became a broadcast sensation with a lot more going on behind the scenes than most viewers of the day were aware.
Chernin Entertainment’s Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping are producing alongside Gary Sanchez Productions’ Adam McKay and Ferrell himself. No director is, as of yet, attached, nor has the actress playing role of King been named, but check back for additional information as soon as it becomes available.
You can read the original ESPN article that inspired the film by right here.
(Photo Credit: Andres Otero / WENN.com)
