What Real-Life Story Inspired Jamie Foxx’s New Sports Drama? Cast, Plot, and More About the Netflix Movie

Published 10/14/2025, 1:56 PM EDT

Netflix has lately been leaning heavily into sports content. But it is not just restricted to live sports. The streamer is also focused on bringing sports-centric narratives to the screen, be it through fictional titles like High Flying Bird, documentaries such as Formula 1: Drive to Survive, or stories inspired by real-life legends–Netflix really knows how to get viewers on the edge of their seats. One such story is about to unfold on the small screens, starring Jamie Foxx. 

This drama charts the heartbreaking downfall and heroic rebound of a team, showing resilience can move the world.

The team whose phoenix-like rise inspired Jamie Foxx's Netflix sports drama

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Jamie Foxx will soon be seen in Fight for ’84, a Netflix drama focusing on the story of the 1984 US Olympic Boxing team's coach. It follows the real-life aftermath of the 1980 LOT Polish Airlines Flight 007 crash and how a new coach, played by Jamie Foxx, rebuilds the team brick by brick. Under the direction of Andrés Baiz and the writing of Andrea Berloff, it tells how a shattered team rose to claim a record-breaking medal haul at the 1984 Olympics.

Reflecting on what makes him most excited about this project, director Baiz told Tudum that "In a time when so many of us are trying to find meaning again, this story feels more relevant than ever". Baiz also called the opportunity to work with Foxx, who has helped bring sports stories to life in the past as well, "incredibly exciting". Netflix recently also added a few more names to the cast list.

Cast of Fight for ’84

Alongside Jamie Foxx, who was already featured in a Netflix original this year, Malachi Beasley is reportedly also part of Fight for ’84, although in an unconfirmed role. On October 14, Netflix further added 11 more names to the cast, including, Shea Whigham, Dan Perrault, Will Chase, Algee Smith, Jamir Cope, Mitchell Edwards, Al-Shabazz Jabateh, Tre McBride, Xavier Mills, Adrian Martinez and Javier Bolaños. 

Many of these names are expected to play the team members of the aforementioned boxing team. As of now, these are the only names associated with the film, though more cast members are expected as the project progresses.

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Netflix recently shared an update on Fight for ’84 on X, confirming that the drama has entered its next phase.

Fight for ’84’ is finally off the ground

Fight for ’84 was first announced in May this year, during the 2025 Upfront presentation in New York City. Five months following the announcement, Netflix dropped its first behind-the-scenes look from the production with Jamie Foxx and director Andrés Baiz on the sets. It also announced that the project is "Now in production".

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Filming for Fight for ’84 has already begun on September 29 and will continue till December 2, 2025. Considering the schedule, the project can either arrive on Netflix before the end of 2026 or the following year. 

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What do you think about Jamie Foxx's Fight for ’84? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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Hriddhi Maitra

2272 articles

Hriddhi Maitra is an Entertainment Journalist and Primary Editor at Netflix Junkie. With over 2,000 articles under her belt, she blends her English Literature background with a flair for turning streaming trends into engaging, reference-rich stories. Hriddhi's sharp editorial instincts and versatility across genres make her a go-to voice for everything from on-screen drama to deep-dive cultural commentary.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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