WWE Hall of Famer and Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle has given fans a significant update about the long-anticipated biopic chronicling his extraordinary life and career. Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Angle revealed that the movie is currently in pre-production, with the script nearing completion and financing already secured. The film will be directed by brothers Ian and Eshom Nelms, former high school and college wrestlers who bring a genuine understanding of Angle’s sport to the project.
Biopic in Pre-Production: Script and Funding Progress
Angle confirmed that the Nelms brothers have been intimately involved in the movie’s development, bringing their own wrestling experience to ensure authenticity. “We are working on that movie. I have the directors Ian and Eshom Nelms, they’re brothers. They were former wrestlers in high school and college. So they understand my sport,” Angle said during the interview[1][3].
The project is reported to be in a solid financial position, with investors already on board, which is a key step toward moving from script to production. However, Angle emphasized the importance of perfecting the script before moving forward with casting or filming: “We’re gonna make sure the script’s perfected before we do anything, before we pick the cast and everything like that.” This careful approach underlines the dedication to telling Angle’s story accurately and compellingly[1][4].
Two-Part Biopic Structure: Olympic Glory and Wrestling Stardom
Sources close to the project revealed the biopic will be a two-part film, aiming to cover the full scope of Angle’s life—from his Olympic wrestling triumph to his decorated professional wrestling career. The first installment will focus on his historic gold medal win at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where he competed with a “broken freakin’ neck,” an iconic moment underscoring his grit and determination[2][4].
The follow-up film is expected to dive into Angle’s rise in WWE and other wrestling promotions where he became a multi-time world champion — solidifying his legacy as one of wrestling’s greatest all-around performers. By splitting the story, the filmmakers can give detailed attention to both the physical and emotional challenges Angle overcame in two very different wrestling realms[2].
Navigating Timing with ‘The Smashing Machine’ Film
An interesting dimension to the production timeline is the recent release of The Smashing Machine, a biopic about Mark Kerr, an MMA legend and Angle’s former Olympic rival. Directed by Dwayne Johnson, the film has drawn considerable attention and generated buzz in combat sports circles.
Angle noted the coincidence and added that his team might wait for the excitement around The Smashing Machine to subside before fully launching their own project: “Knowing The Smashing Machine just came out, it might be a good time to breathe a little bit and let that movie digest, and then continue on.” This caution aims to avoid audience fatigue and maximize the impact of his biopic when it eventually hits theaters[1][4][5].
Backstage Insight: Filmmakers’ Commitment to Authenticity
According to sources close to WWE and the film’s production, the Nelms brothers’ background as former wrestlers has been invaluable in shaping the project’s direction. A WWE insider shared, “The Nelms have a rare inside perspective on the sport that few filmmakers possess. That’s crucial for portraying Kurt’s journey authentically — from the rigors of freestyle wrestling to the theatrical, larger-than-life world of pro wrestling.”
The insider also noted the importance of the script’s meticulous development phase: “They’re taking their time, which is smart given how rich and complex Kurt’s story is. Rushing the script or casting could undermine the quality fans expect.”
Why Kurt Angle’s Story Resonates
Kurt Angle’s narrative is compelling not only because of his athletic achievements but also for the personal and professional obstacles he overcame. From his breakthrough as an underdog Olympian dealing with a severe neck injury to becoming a fan-favorite WWE icon known for his charisma, technical skill, and resilience, his story contains universal themes of perseverance, triumph, and reinvention.
This biopic offers both wrestling fans and general audiences a chance to glimpse behind the curtain of a sports legend, humanizing an athlete who performed at the highest level in vastly different arenas.
What’s Next for the Biopic?
With the script nearing completion and funding confirmed, the next phases involve finalizing the screenplay and beginning casting. However, the timeline remains cautious and measured. Industry insiders believe production could start in the near future, but they expect an official shooting schedule announcement only once the creative team feels every element is fully ready.
As Angle succinctly put it, the project is “in a good position right now” — a promising sign that the biopic will come to fruition, but with quality prioritized over speed.