Academy Award nominated filmmakerLexi Alexander(Johnny Flinton) has signed on to directCrossface: The True Story of Wrestling Superstar Chris Benoit. The announcement was made today by producersAlex A. GinzburgandTony Leeof Let It Play.
The film is based on the book"Ring of Hell: The Story of Chris Benoit & the Fall of the Pro Wrestling Industry"by Matthew Randazzo V, who serves as an executive producer alongsideRam Getz.Crossfacetells the true story of former WWE superstarChris Benoit’s struggles to maintain his family life while the pressures of wrestling caused him to lose control.
Once a well respected champion of the WWE, Benoit murdered his wife and son before taking his own life. Posthumously, Benoit was diagnosed with CTE, severe brain degeneration, believed to be associated with his career as a wrestler. Lexi Alexander will be directing from a script byJake GoldbergerandSarah Coulter.
In recent years, Alexander had turned her eye to television, helming some well-received episodes of series includingSupergirl, Arrow,andLimitless. “I was pretty certain I’d stay in TV rather than returning to the feature world, because the material just seems so much better in TV, especially in drama, but thenCrossfacecame my way,” she said in a statement. “A heartbreaking, true story about the dark side of wrestling… I couldn’t say no to that.”
Alexander earned an Academy Award nomination for her short film,Johnny Flinton,while her featureGreen Street Hooligans,starringElijah WoodandCharlie Hunnamwon both the Best of the Fest and a Special Jury Award at SXSW. In addition to directing, Alexander is a World Karate and Kickboxing Champion and an expert in mixed martial arts.
Alex A. Ginzburg and Tony Lee’s producing credits at Let It Play includeLee Kirk’s upcoming filmGeezerstarringBillie Joe Armstrong, Selma Blair,andJudy Greer. They also haveHolding PatternsstarringFreddie Highmore, Odeya Rush,andChristopher Melonicurrently in pre-production. They were executive producers forHardcore Henrywhich won the People’s Choice Award in the Midnight Madness category at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
