Early in the pandemic, suffering through a stay-at-home order like many of us, actor and stunt expert Zoë Bell decided to channel her action expertise and whipped up supremely fun (and punch-happy) short Boss Bitch Fight Challenge, which saw the likes of Cameron Diaz, Lucy Lawless, Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh and Rosario Dawson contributing fight moves. That has now sparked an idea for an action comedy.
Writers Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith (a screenwriting veteran behind movies including Legally Blonde and 10 Things I Hate About You) and Mamrie Hart (a bestselling author and indie films writer and actress) have come up with a concept – Deadline's report doesn't feature any specifics as to plot – for Bell to direct.
Bell, of course, is the legendary stunt performer and actor who began her career with Rob Tapert (who produces here) and cult TV series Xena: Warrior Princess. She's since developed a healthy big screen career working particularly with Quentin Tarantino both in front of and behind the camera (most recently, she was stunt coordinator for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood).
Lionsgate has now leapt at the idea, which will punch its way though development. "Zoë has built up a huge fan base over the years – which is no surprise, because she’s a bona fide icon who kicks ass and takes names in a part of the industry still dominated by men,” says Lionsgate's Erin Westerman. "Her legend only grew with the Boss Bitch video that everyone loved during quarantine. After a long and storied career of taking the hits, she’ll now be calling the shots."
You can see the original short below.