DEAD OR ALIVE: Gracie Legacy Centers New BJJ Origin MMA Period Drama At Netflix
Who says MMA movies are out of fashion?
Netflix is staking its claim with Dead Or Alive, described by THR/Heat Vision‘s Borys Kit as a period drama, an origin story, and “a no holds-barred MMA showdown!”. José Padilha (O Mecanismo, Elite Squad, Robocop, Netflix series Narcos) is set to direct from Peter Maguire’s script and will also produce with Greg Silverman and his Stampede banner.
According to the report, Dead Or Alive sets its story stretching from 19th century Japan to present day North America, chronicling the life and times of Maeda Mitsuyo and Rickson Gracie, two men from vastly different worlds who spread their influence through the evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Kit highlights in his report that Maeda was a martial arts ambassador whi arriving in Brazil via a circus in 1914 during his travels to the Americas to showcase the fighting art.
After meeting Carlos Gracie (uncle to Rickson born in 1958), the two becoming master and student and Gracie later taught his brothers, eventually the MMA dynasty that’s become so popular today.
While this isn’t the first MMA film to arise in the last few years for development, this definitely isn’t the first Gracie-releated film to stir about the headlines. Last June saw news of a Rorion Gracie biopic from Mandalay Sports Media and Mayhem Pictures – though things have been quiet on that front until we hear more, Gracie fans and the BJJ crowd alike, it seems, will finally see something go forward as far as biopics go.
“This is a film with universal appeal with remarkable real-life characters,” said Silverman in a statement. “Rickson Gracie is one of the greatest fighters of all time and we are honored to share his story.”
He added, “I have been an admirer of José’s for years, and we are honored he has chosen Stampede to collaborate with on Dead or Alive, and to share it with Netflix’s global audience.”
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