Queen of the Ring, the inspiring true story of legendary professional wrestler Mildred Burke, is set to hit theaters on March 7, 2025, distributed by Sumerian Pictures. Written and directed by Ash Avildsen, the film, which is based on the book by the same name, has already garnered critical acclaim, earning Avildsen the Best Director Award at the 2024 Portland Film Festival. Fans can watch the brand new trailer, premiered by People, HERE or by clicking the thumbnail below, featuring a cinematic rendition of Des Rocs "Never Ending Moment".
This groundbreaking film chronicles the life of Mildred Burke, a small-town single mother who defied societal norms and legal barriers in the 1930s-1950s to dominate professional wrestling. Burke became the first million-dollar female athlete in history and the first woman to headline arenas over male competitors, forever changing the face of one of America’s most masculine sports.
In a time when women’s wrestling was banned across the U.S., Burke’s rise to fame is a testament to unrelenting perseverance. The film brings her incredible journey to life with a powerful performance from Emily Bett Rickards (Arrow), making her big-screen debut in a leading role. Her portrayal of Burke has received glowing reviews, capturing both the grit and grace of a woman who broke barriers and shattered glass ceilings.
Ash Avildsen, reflecting on the personal significance of the project, shared:
“Storytelling has always been my greatest passion, and Queen of the Ring represents a culmination of my journey both personally and professionally. At the age of 34, I finally met my father, acclaimed director John G. Avildsen, known for films such as Rocky and The Karate Kid. Building a beautiful bond with my father as an adult was life-changing, deeply influencing my approach to storytelling and imbuing my work with a deep sense of purpose. Growing up without a father defined me in my youth, but becoming best friends with him later in life has been transformative.”
The film’s mix of authenticity, spectacle, and heartfelt storytelling has already won over audiences at festivals. Previewing to stellar reviews, Queen of the Ring has been described as “making all the right moves” by The Hollywood Reporter and “bringing glitzy, gritty Americana to wrestling history” by MovieJawn.
In addition to Rickards, the film features an ensemble cast, including:
- Josh Lucas (Ford v Ferrari, Sweet Home Alabama, Palm Royale)
- Walton Goggins (Fallout, The Hateful Eight, Righteous Gemstones)
- Gavin Casalegno (The Summer I Turned Pretty), playing Burke’s teenage son
- Tyler Posey (Teenwolf)
- Deborah Ann Woll (TrueBlood, Daredevil
- Cara Buono (Stranger Things)
- Marie Avgeropoulos (The 100)
- Kelli Berglund (Heels)
The cast also includes pro wrestling stars Kamille, Toni Storm, Trinity Fatu and Jim Cornette, bridging the film’s narrative with the real-world wrestling community.
With its release strategically timed for March 7, 2025, during Women’s History Month and just before International Women’s Day on March 8, Queen of the Ring aims to inspire and celebrate the trailblazing legacy of women like Burke who changed the course of history and prevailed despite enormous adversity.
ABOUT DIRECTOR ASH AVILDSEN:
Ash Avildsen grew up in a single-parent household, never having met his father but knowing who he was and having his last name. He chose to pursue music first as an artist, touring in a band and teaching himself the business through a DIY lifestyle. Using all the knowledge he learned from the road, he started his own record label. Sumerian Records has now become one of the top independents in the world for rock and alternative music, with several Grammy nominations and record-setting Billboard chart metrics for the hard-rock genre. Sumerian Records recently celebrated a historic achievement with the first Grammy nomination in the history of the Recording Academy for a solo female artist in the “Best Metal Performance” category, featuring avant-garde singer Poppy.
Avildsen’s first feature film, American Satan, won several awards on the festival circuit before being distributed by Miramax. The film had a theatrical release and was subsequently picked up by Showtime, where it developed a growing cult following. Avildsen expanded on this success by writing and directing the limited series spin-off, "Paradise City".