“I was so excited to get on that set.”

Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Christy, which are based on the true story of Christy Martin.

Like the rumors about him join the James Bond franchise heat, Sydney Sweeney is about to drop his most impressive performance to date. To be part of the Euphoria ensemble that broke box office records as one half of the hit romantic comedy Anyone but youSweeney’s filmography has gone from strength to strength in a career that still feels like it’s only just beginning.

In his latest project, Sweeney showcases his talent by taking on the lead role in David Michod-a sports biopic directed and co-written, Christie. Alongside personalities like Chad L. Coleman, Ben Foster, Katy O’Brian, Merritt WeverAnd Ethan EmbrySweeney portrays a world-class fighting machine Christine Martinand underwent an impressive transformation to take on the role, for which she had been “mentally preparing for two or three months”.

Ahead of the film’s theatrical release, Collider’s Steve Weintraub spoke to Sweeney about Christie at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, discussing his demanding physical transformation, filming the film’s most brutal sequence, and other of his future projects.

Sydney Sweeney on her physically demanding “Christy” transformation

She also shares the “scariest” moment of production.

COLLIDER: I’m always curious to know what the actors go through in the weeks leading up to that first day of filming. For this role in particular, what was your mental space like in the month leading up to that first day, and what did you do to calm the nerves and be ready to perform on day one?

SYDNEY SWEENEY: I was so absorbed in training and physically preparing for this role. I trained every day. I boxed every day. I gained 35 pounds for this. So mentally, I had been preparing for two or three months before this, and I was so excited and ready to get on that set.

I think the scariest moment for me was meeting Christy. [Martin] for the first time, leading to this. I didn’t really know what to expect. I hoped she would like me. I think it was more nerve-wracking than getting on set the first day, because when I’m on set, that’s my happy place. I know if I do the work and I’m prepared, I’m going to have a great time.

Ben Foster is so good at playing someone you want to punch in the face. What’s it like working with him? Because he can appear so intense on screen, and especially in the dynamic between the two of you.

SWEENEY: He’s one of the most incredible scene partners I’ve ever had. He is beyond phenomenally talented. He is lovable in the scenes. He listens. He gives so much. In fact, he and I are a bit similar when we approach scenes. We both don’t like to rehearse. We like to know what the physical nature of a scene is, just in case there are physical aspects to it, but for everything else we like to be able to figure it out together. So to be able to work with an actor who works in the same direction was so liberating.

Sydney Sweeney on capturing the film’s most brutal sequence

“Sometimes when you see something, it almost takes away from how real it is.”

I’m always curious about the most difficult shot or sequence in a film for an actor, so for this one, what is the sequence or shot that took forever or was really difficult to do?

SWEENEY: That’s a very good question. Well, what was difficult as an overall thing for David [Michôd]Ben, I and almost everyone else represented everything that was in the latter part of the film. When Jim and Christy were home, we shot it the first week. So that first Friday was the attack, and I know that wasn’t initially the way David wanted to approach the calendar. He was really hoping that we could finish it towards the end, but that’s exactly how it happened, in terms of location, timing, and we knew we were just going to dive into it. I think we are all very happy that we were able to do it in the first week. We knew the importance of the film we were making, and being able to get through this heavy week… Just getting it over with, getting into it and handling it carefully, that’s the only thing on our minds, and then being able to get on with everything else. But I think this whole week was really difficult because there was a lot of really heavy stuff going on with Jim and Christy.

I actually wanted to ask you about this scene specifically because it’s so brutal to watch. She was stabbed, she was shot, and you have to describe that honestly, but obviously you were never stabbed or shot. Talk a little about how you wanted to play the scene when you’re standing and walking.

SWEENEY: A lot of it came from discussions between David and I, a lot of different videos that I watched and things that I read. It was interesting because I wanted to be very delicate in conversations with Christy about this circumstance, and I wanted to handle it very carefully. Of course, we didn’t have Christy on set that day, just out of respect. But when we were filming it, I think, first of all, David’s choice to not see the attack, and you hear it, and you see the commotion around it, was such a smart and thoughtful approach, because sometimes when you see something, it almost takes away from how real it is when it’s filmed. If it’s left to the public’s imagination and interpretation, it can be more frightening, and often, in cases of domestic violence, that’s what happens behind closed doors. You don’t see it. So the parallel, I think, was very clever.

When we got to what you see on the ground, walking, we did it in different ways. There were a lot of different takes where we had some where it was more visceral, the pain, but then David and I kind of landed on that, almost in shock, and found this power to resist all of that. Even though she is in the most unimaginable mental, emotional and physical pain and in shock, there is still this fight inside her.

Completely. This scene is really brutal.

Sydney Sweeney found a new passion in Hollywood

The actress will play Kim Novak in Colman Domingo’s directorial debut, Scandalous!.

Image via Steve Vas/Future Image/Cover Images

I know you’re going to play Kim Novak next year. What is it like to prepare to live there?

SWEENEY: Oh, I’m so honored and excited. I’m definitely finding a love for playing with real people. I think it’s really interesting. It’s a very different approach and a different experience for me, and I really like it. Kim, of course, is a true icon, she is incredibly talented and her story is beautiful. I think there are so many parallels to his experiences living in Hollywood that I have and that are still prevalent in Hollywood today, so I’m very excited to make this film.

I’m also at SCAD right now, and I’ve asked this question of everyone here. There are a lot of students here and I’m curious if you would like to share any advice with students about acting, everything they should know, or advice.

SWEENEY: I’ve always said that people who you thought you could look up to will often say no to you, from your peers, from people along the way, and you just have to keep your head down and focus on you and what you want. Don’t let anyone else define or control your dream.

Sydney Sweeney will never say goodbye to Euphoria’s Cassie

She has officially finished season 3.

Image via HBO Max

Have you finished filming season 3 of Euphoria?

SWEENEY: I have two days left!

Is this weird because it’s possible this is the last season? I obviously don’t know what’s going on in the series, but is it weird to say goodbye to this chapter if it’s the end? Because this show means so much to so many people.

SWEENEY: I don’t think I’ll ever really say goodbye to Cassie, and I’m on the same page as you. I have no idea what’s going on, so I can’t wait to see it, just like you.

You never know. But here’s what interests me a lot. You’ve been acting for a very long time, and you started as a child actor, and now you’ve reached the point where you’re first on the call list and you get to choose projects. It’s obviously the thing that I’m sure you dreamed of as a kid, so what’s it like to reach that pinnacle, if you will?

SWEENEY: I’m just really happy to be in an industry and in a job that I love doing what I do. I get to play such intense, chaotic and interesting characters. I come to Hollywood at a time where there are incredibly written and complex female characters. I’m living my dream, so it’s really exciting and I love it.

I’m really happy for you. Congratulations on Christieand I’m really looking forward to seeing Paul Feig’s film, The cleaning lady.

SWEENEY: Oh my God, I can’t wait for everyone to see it. It’s so much fun. I was a big fan of the book, so I can’t wait.

Christie hits theaters on November 7.

Release date

November 7, 2025

Runtime

135 minutes

Director

David Michod

Writers

Mirrah Foulkes, David Michôd

Producers

Brent Stiefel, Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, Sydney Sweeney, Teddy Schwarzman, John Friedberg, Michael Heimler, Justin Lothrop, Brad Zimmerman, David Levine