Barry Jenkins’ ‘The Fire Inside’ First Look: Brian Tyree Henry Coaches a Real-Life Olympic Boxing Legend

Samantha Bergeson

July 27, 2024 at 3:00 AM·2 min read

“Mudbound” and “Black Panther” cinematographer Rachel Morrison captures boxing legend Claressa “T-Rex” Shields’ life story for “The Fire Inside,” her upcoming directorial debut written by Barry Jenkins.

“The Fire Inside” stars newcomer Ryan Destiny as Shields, with Academy Award-nominated actor Brian Tyree Henry portraying her coach. The official synopsis reads: “‘The Fire Inside’ is the inspirational true story of Claressa Shields, arguably the greatest female boxer of all time. Claressa, a high school Junior from Flint, Michigan, aided by her tough-love coach, Jason Crutchfield, pushes past all limitations to become the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. But even at the pinnacle of success, Claressa has to reckon with the fact that not all dreams are created equal, and the real fight has only just begun.”

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The film will have its world premiere at TIFF 2024 on Saturday, September 7.

Screenwriter Jenkins produces “The Fire Inside” along with Elishia Holmes. Director Morrison, the real-life Shields, Lyn Lucibello Brancatella, Drea Cooper, Zackary Canepari, and Sue Jaye Johnson all executive produce.

The release of “The Fire Inside” is fittingly during an Olympics year, as Shields made history as the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. She later won a second gold medal in women’s middleweight boxing at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.

Shields’ life story was featured in 2015 boxing documentary “T-REX” directed by Zackary Canepari and Drea Cooper.

“The Fire Inside” was originally set at Universal after the studio acquired Shields’ life rights and rights to the “T-REX” documentary in 2016. The project was first titled “Flint Strong” and drew comparisons to “Rocky.” Jenkins was first rumored to direct when the project was announced in 2016. Jenkins went on to helm the Amazon series “The Underground Railroad” in 2021 and recently directed “Lion King” prequel “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which he said was “one of the best decisions I ever made in my life” while at CinemaCon.

“The Fire Inside” premieres in theaters December 25 from Amazon MGM Studios. Check out the first look photos below.