Andre Holland and Wendell Pierce are lacing up the gloves for They Fight, a scripted adaptation of the acclaimed 2018 documentary that spotlighted one of the country’s most respected youth boxing programs. The feature has officially wrapped production and is set to premiere on Disney+ and Hulu.
Holland stars as Walt Manigan, a gifted boxing mind and reformed ex-convict determined to rebuild his life and his family with longtime partner Ketta, played by Emmy winner Samira Wiley (The Handmaid’s Tale). His comeback leads him to a struggling boxing gym inside a Washington, D.C., youth recreation center on the brink of shutdown.
There, Walt begins mentoring young fighters under the guidance of the wise and seasoned coach Slim, played by Wendell Pierce. The program’s future — and the boys’ — builds toward a tense showdown between best friends Quincey (Toussaint Francois Battiste) and Peanut (Anthony B. Jenkins) as they compete for a coveted place on the U.S. Junior Olympic Team.
The cast also includes Mykelti Williamson, Tory J. Malone, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Tinashe Kajese-Bolden, Amanda Warren, and Andre Royo, rounding out a deep ensemble rooted in character, community, and heart.
Produced by A/Vantage Pictures with Andscape (a division of ESPN), Argent Pictures, North of Now, Mandalay Pictures, and Harper Road, the film brings together an impressive lineup both in front of and behind the camera.
They Fight marks the long-awaited second feature from director Sheldon Candis, 13 years after his Sundance debut Luv. Candis co-wrote the script with Andrew Renzi, who directed the original documentary and now joins Jason Michael Berman and Ben Renzo as producers. Their collaboration reunites creative partners from across multiple projects, bringing personal history and passion into the new feature.
The film shot in Maryland with support from the Maryland Film Commission and the state’s film tax credit. With production now wrapped, They Fight is gearing up for release across Disney+ and Hulu, aiming to introduce a new generation to the program’s true story of resilience, mentorship, and second chances.