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Back in November, it was announced that ESPN’s 30 for 30 would be making a documentary about none other than “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, and even though they might only be doing it to spite Bill Simmons, it still should be a fascinating film.
Sports Illustrated has emerged with some more details about the movie, and it sounds like it’s coming together rather nicely. The currently unnamed doc will be directed by 30 for 30 vet Rory Karpf who previously worked on films such as “I Hate Christian Laettner” and “The Book of Manning,” and will be either 90 or 120 minutes long.
In addition, along with a “very open” interview with the two-time WWE Hall of Famer, the movie will feature interviews with Flair’s three living children (including the WWE Women’s Champion, Charlotte), Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Sting, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Ricky Steamboat, Mick Foley, Eric Bischoff, Jim Ross, and even Flair’s ex-wife, Leslie. As for classic Flair wrestling footage, SI’s Richard Deistch reports that due to ESPN’s excellent working relationship with WWE, that was not a problem.
Karpf also said the documentary will focus mostly on Flair’s rise in the industry during the 1980s.
Karpf said the 1980s will be the main era of the doc to coincide with the prime of Flair’s career, as well as the explosion of pro wrestling into the pop culture. “Hulk Hogan and Wrestlemania had become household names and meanwhile, Ric was in a rival organization,” Karpf said. “I wanted to explore what specifically made Ric so great and what specifically makes for a great pro wrestler. Why is he considered the greatest of all time? How is that determination made? Unlike the NFL or NBA there really aren’t stats and metrics we can use like touchdowns, points scored or championships to determine greatness. Wrestling is pre-determined. But it is very athletic and the performers are definitely athletes. I wanted to give wrestling its just due in comparison of other sports.”
The film is reportedly currently in the editing stages but should come out within the next year. Between this and the reports that an Andre the Giant movie is in the works, it’s a good time to be a wrestling movies fan. Now someone please make a good biopic about Randy Savage, please and thanks.
(Via Sports Illustrated)
