Sumerian Films has just unveiled the official trailer for “Queen of the Ring,” an upcoming biographical drama chronicling the life of legendary professional wrestler Mildred Burke. Directed and written by Ash Avildsen, the film is set to hit theaters on March 7, 2025, and offers a powerful cinematic portrayal of Burke’s trailblazing career in a male-dominated sport.
The newly released trailer, which premiered with People magazine, features a stirring rendition of Des Rocs' track “Never Ending Moment” that complements the dramatic visuals of Burke's journey. In the film, Emily Bett Rickards (best known for her role in Arrow) takes center stage in her leading role debut as Mildred Burke. Rickards’ portrayal has already generated significant buzz, with early reviews praising her ability to capture both the toughness and grace of the iconic wrestler.
“Queen of the Ring” traces Burke’s rise from a small-town single mother to the first female athlete in history to earn a million-dollar paycheck and headline arenas over male competitors. At a time when women’s wrestling was banned in much of the U.S., Burke defied societal expectations and became a groundbreaking figure in the world of professional wrestling, forever changing its landscape.
Ash Avildsen, whose previous work has garnered attention for its authenticity and emotional depth, shared that “Queen of the Ring” is a deeply personal project for him. Avildsen, who won Best Director at the 2024 Portland Film Festival, reflected on how his relationship with his father—legendary filmmaker John G. Avildsen, director of “Rocky” and “The Karate Kid”—shaped his approach to storytelling. “Storytelling has always been my greatest passion, and “Queen of the Ring” represents a culmination of my journey both personally and professionally,” he explained.
The film features an impressive supporting cast, including Josh Lucas (“Ford v Ferrari”), Walton Goggins (“The Hateful Eight”), Gavin Casalegno (“The Summer I Turned Pretty”), Tyler Posey (“Teen Wolf”), Deborah Ann Woll (“True Blood”), Cara Buono (“Stranger Things”), Marie Avgeropoulos (“The 100”), and Kelli Berglund (“Heels”). Queen of the Ring also features a number of professional wrestlers, including Kamille, Toni Storm, Trinity Fatu, and Jim Cornette. This blend of talent, both from Hollywood and the wrestling world, adds authenticity to the film's narrative.
With its release strategically timed for March 7, 2025—just before International Women's Day on March 8—the film aims to honor the legacy of women who have broken barriers and achieved greatness in the face of adversity. Early festival screenings have already earned “Queen of the Ring” praise, with The Hollywood Reporter calling it “making all the right moves” and MovieJawn describing it as “bringing glitzy, gritty Americana to wrestling history.”
As excitement builds around the film, fans can catch the newly released trailer and learn more about Mildred Burke’s incredible journey leading up to the film’s official release.
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