The Fire Inside Brings Two-Time Olympian Claressa Shields’ Journey To The Big Screen

We’ve all been saying it for years, but this movie really honed it in: let’s tell the incredible and empowering stories of some of our finest while they’re still here. What’s the wait for?

The Fire Inside is a biographical film about two-time Olympian Claressa Shields, played by actress Ryan Destiny. The movie follows Shields from a very early age as she discovers her passion for boxing — a sport dominated by men. Her curiosity and eagerness catch the attention of coach and mentor Jason Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry), who takes a particular interest in her. Pop Culture Planet attended the virtual press conference to hear from the cast and director about their connection to the project and what they hope viewers will take away.

Director Rachel Morrison spoke about making her directorial debut with this project and what drew her in. “I think it started with the fact that I didn't know her. Claressa is such a badass force and an incredible athlete, and I follow sports. So for me not to know her felt like there was something wrong in the universe,” she shared. “I’d been reading for a long time looking for something that felt meaningful and additive to the universe and that I could contribute to. There were things I saw from my experiences as a female DP that I could pour into this. But really, Claressa’s story deserved to be out there.”

Both Destiny and Henry admitted this project initially came to them as any other opportunity, but reading the script revealed its value. “I remember getting the script and being pissed,” Henry recalled. He couldn’t understand why this story wasn’t more widely known. “And then I sat down and was like, ‘Oh, I know why I don’t know this.’ And I thought, ‘Okay, so how do we make sure people never forget it?’”

As actors, finding meaningful roles is the goal, and Henry emphasized, “I think every actor worth their salt looks for that moment where we get to play somebody real, someone living and breathing.” For both actors, the roles grew beyond performance as they became invested in telling this story.

Henry and Destiny had an especially compelling challenge, as their characters’ bond is central to the story. The mentor-mentee relationship between Shields and Crutchfield was crucial to her success and courage. Shields credits Crutchfield with getting her to where she is today, saying, “Before I believed in myself, Jason Crutchfield believed in me.” Henry understood this was key to his role, so he focused on building a connection with Destiny off-screen.

“I didn’t have to train, so I was like, ‘Cool, I don’t have to do what Claressa is doing.’ But I really wanted to get into the heart of that relationship,” Henry explained. He focused on connecting with Ryan off-screen and building a relationship that is synonymous with Shields and Crutchfield. Their relationship was built on trust and the faith they had in each other, so he worked to build that with Ryan, saying, “I’ll ride for Ryan now. Like, anybody says something about Ryan, I’ll ride on you.”

This is Shields’ story, but she left the creative aspects to the filmmakers, offering her life as inspiration while continuing to live it. “I had 10 percent, maybe 15 percent involvement,” she shared. She got the call about the movie just before her second Olympics and negotiated for a year — during which she won her second gold medal. Shields had a previous documentary T-Rex, but it didn’t capture her life after success. This film dives into the emotional depth of her journey while celebrating her triumphs — not just her struggles.

“I feel like this is a very fateful and hopeful story. I don’t want nobody feeling sorry for me because I don’t feel sorry for myself,” Shields said. “I want them to know I went through this and that, almost quit here, almost gave up there. But look at where I am now — at 29 years old.”

The team hopes the film inspires, motivates, and moves viewers. Morrison emphasizes resilience, saying, “No matter how badly you get knocked down, the real test is getting back up.”

Destiny wants audiences to understand the power of female athletes. “I always would love for people to understand what it takes to be a female athlete, especially in a sport that is male-dominated,” she said. “And understand how powerful and exciting and fun women are to watch. Just as much as men are.”

Henry focuses on enduring adversity. “Take your licks, but at the same time, you know, like, there is a resilience that comes from that. There is a strength that comes from that,” he shared. “And give it to them just as hard as they gave it to you.”

Shields leaves us with this: “It takes a village to raise a champion, to raise a child… But I hope people see it only takes one person to believe in somebody.”

The Fire Inside opens everywhere on Christmas Day.