The ‘Room’ director is in the research stages of his latest film, which takes on the story of infamous but conflicted boxer Emile Griffith.
This upcoming biopic, untitled as of yet, requires Abrahamson to research real-life personalities and influences which have shaped public understanding of the world champion.
Such figures include biographer Donald McRae who penned ‘A Man’s World: The Double Life of Emile Griffith’ and world champion boxer Barry McGuigan.
Having enjoyed a quick rise to fame in 1961 by defeating Benny Paret, Griffith’s turbulent career was marked by a struggle with sexuality, with the death of Paret following a rematch the following year, and the guilt which remained with him for the rest of his life.
When interviewing with RTÉ Radio 1's Second Captains Sunday, Abrahamson described his fascination with Griffith’s story in terms of sexuality, masculinity, sport but most importantly in terms of the person at the centre of it.
Abrahamson further describes Griffith as a person struggling with “identity conflict” who alternated between the conflicting worlds of masculine boxing and underground the homosexual scene of New York, which was hidden behind closed doors.
The project is expected to begin filming in 2017.