Full Breakdown
Dwayne Johnson's "Fighting With My Family" Adapted into Stage Musical
4/22/2026, 4:11:46 AM
Overview of the Musical Adaptation
The 2019 film "Fighting With My Family," directed by Stephen Merchant and starring Florence Pugh and Dwayne Johnson, is being adapted into a stage musical. This project is a collaboration between Merchant, Johnson, and Dany Garcia's Seven Bucks Productions, along with Tilted Musicals, Kevin Misher, and Birmingham Hippodrome. The musical will feature a book and lyrics by Olivier Award-winning playwright Jon Brittain, with music composed by Miranda Cooper and Nick Coler.
Storyline and Themes
The musical will follow the journey of Saraya Knight, known as WWE superstar Paige, who is depicted as a goth outsider raised in a chaotic yet loving British wrestling family. The narrative centers on her transition from Norwich to the glitzy world of WWE, where she must navigate her identity without her family's support. Merchant has expressed that he always envisioned the story as a musical, likening the wrestling matches to choreographed dance numbers filled with emotion and theatricality.
Production Insights
Dwayne Johnson emphasized the suitability of the story for the stage, highlighting its emotional depth and the inherent storytelling nature of wrestling. He stated, “It’s packed with personal emotion expressed through the dynamic world of wrestling, which has always been about storytelling and connecting with a live audience.” Johnson's collaboration with Merchant on the film was described as a "truly special experience," and he believes the musical adaptation will resonate with theatergoers.
Development Timeline
Closed workshops for the musical are scheduled to begin later this year, with a public presentation anticipated in 2027. This marks the first musical developed by Tilted Musicals, a new production company led by Cooper and U.K. producer-director Sam Hodges, focused on creating original works that blend music and theater.
Criticism & Opposition
While the adaptation has garnered excitement, there has been limited public dissent regarding the project. Some critics may question the necessity of adapting a film into a musical format, particularly one that has already been well-received in its original cinematic form. However, no specific opposing viewpoints have been prominently featured in the sources.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When we were making the film, I always thought of it like a musical: a young woman from the ‘chorus line’ fighting to get her big break, surrounded by theatrical, larger-than-life characters and huge sweeping emotions,” — Stephen Merchant, Writer/Director
- “Fighting With My Family feels exceptionally well-suited for the stage,” — Dwayne Johnson, Producer/Actor
This adaptation of "Fighting With My Family" into a musical format aims to capture the humor, grit, and heart of the original film while providing a fresh theatrical experience for audiences.
