“Heartbeats,” the best-selling memoir by tennis legend Björn Borg, is set to get a stylish adaptation with acclaimed Swedish director Jonas Åkerlund directing.
Banijay Entertainment’s labels, Jarowskij/Yellow Bird and Mastiff Sweden, are co-developing the scripted project with Åkerlund, best known for his groundbreaking music videos for Madonna, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and the Rolling Stones, as well as films such as “Thriller”, “Spun”, “Lord of Chaos” and the series Netflix “Clark.”
Currently in development, the film adaptation will chart Borg’s meteoric rise to tennis stardom, including her unprecedented five consecutive Wimbledon titles and her shocking decision to retire at just 26 years old. Published by Norstedts under its original title, Hjärtslag, the memoir delves into Borg’s life beyond the tennis court, beginning with his childhood and highlighting years of financial collapse, media scrutiny and, ultimately, his personal reinvention.
“I have spent my whole life in matches, on and off the field,” Borg said. “Jonas wants to explore both sides, and I think the time is right for that. He has the eye, the energy and the courage to tell my story in his own way,” he continued.
Åkerlund, meanwhile, said: “Everyone knows Björn Borg for his legendary moments on the pitch, for his fierce and unrivaled power as an athlete and icon.”
“With his book, we have finally dipped a toe into his enigmatic mind. But with this project, we are going into the deep end,” Åkerlund continued.
This ambitious project reflects Banijay Entertainment’s growing expansion into sports storytelling, following the launch of Banijay Sports.
Mattias Olsson, Chief Creative Officer of Mastiff Sweden, and Elin Kvist, CEO of Jarowskij/Yellow Bird, said: “We are incredibly proud to be entrusted with this unique story, about one of the greatest sporting heroes of all time, Björn Borg,” they said in a statement. “There is only one person who can say that, and that is the cultural force of Jonas Åkerlund. This will be a memorable biopic that must be seen.”
Borg was previously the subject of a 2017 Janus Metz film that explored his rivalry with John McEnroe. Borg was played by Sverrir Gudnason while McEnroe was played by Shia LaBeouf.
Mastiff Sweden’s slate of ambitious formats includes the recently announced TV4 culinary competition “100 Knives,” co-developed with Banijay Americas label Bunim/Murray Productions, as well as a long-running local version of “Survivor” and “Love is Blind Sweden,” serving as a production partner for several Netflix adaptations.
Jarowskij/Yellow Bird, meanwhile, has directed successful scripted productions like “Diary of a Ditched Girl,” “A Nearly Normal Family,” “Millennium,” The Restaurant, and is working on the “Wallander” reboot.
Banijay Entertainment is home to over 60 labels, producing over 110 titles annually, including “House of Guinness,” “Half Man” and the “Culpa” trilogy. Nordic slate includes
“Fallen”, “My Brother”, “Billionaire’s Island”, “Still Breathing”, “Supporting Actor” and “Murder”
in Hanko.
