Stormzy’s production company #Merky Films has announced it will co-produce an official biopic based on the life of Arsenal legend Ian Wright.
The Brit Award-winning grime artist will serve as executive producer on the project, which follows Mr Wright’s journey from a difficult childhood in South London to becoming one of England’s most celebrated footballers.
Tom Wilton, whose credits include Muscle and A Love Letter to M, has written the screenplay and will direct the film.
The production has been described as “the story of a Black British boy born to first-generation Caribbean immigrants against a backdrop of a working-class South London community, as relevant today as it was in the ’70s”.
Stormzy's production company will co-produce an official biopic
|GETTY
Mr Wright grew up on the Honor Oak Estate in Brockley, where football became an escape from a troubled home life.
His parents were part of the Windrush generation, and their experiences as Caribbean immigrants shaped much of his upbringing.
Teacher Sydney Pigden recognised Mr Wright’s talent and encouraged him to believe in himself, athough his football dreams were nearly derailed by rejection, anger issues and personal struggles during his teenage years.
The future England striker briefly spent time in prison as a teenager and became a father at a young age before eventually being signed by Crystal Palace from non-league football in his early twenties.
The Brit Award-winning grime artist will serve as executive producer on the project
|GETTY
Speaking about the project, Mr Wright said: “Telling my story in full for the first time feels surreal and, in some ways, a long time coming.”
He added: “I hope it shows how complicated life can be for a young person and the influence people around you can have - good and bad.”
Stormzy said he was “proud” to help bring Mr Wright’s “important and powerful” story to the screen, describing it as a story about “resilience, family and believing in yourself against the odds”.
The producing team includes Academy Award-nominated Sara McFarlane and Stephen Tottingham, while casting directors Carolyn McLeod and Matt Sheppard will begin searching for actors this summer.
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Stormzy made his acting debut in Big Man
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Both celebrities and fans of the star were quick to their share thought on the collaboration online.
Footballer Gary Lineker responded with three clapping emojis, while Shay Gunnar joked he was there if the film needs a "young Ian".
Lauren Laverne commented: "Amazing news! What a story."
One fan posted: "This is really exciting! It’s going to be brilliant."
Another added: "It’s gonna be amazing!"
Someone else called it a "legendary link up".
"Fully deserved," another person wrote.
Last year, Stormzy made his acting debut in Big Man, a 20-minute short film shot entirely on an iPhone 16 Pro as part of Apple’s Shot on iPhone series.
Stormzy is producing the film
|GETTY
Directed by Academy Award-winner Aneil Karia, the film became the first project in the campaign to be filmed entirely in the UK.
Stormzy starred as Tenzman, a disillusioned musician whose life is transformed after meeting two young boys.
The short premiered on YouTube and later became one of the UK’s most watched titles on Prime Video.
Mr Karia praised the iPhone’s flexibility and intimacy for filmmaking, while cinematographer Stuart Bentley said the technology could inspire a new generation of filmmakers.
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