Hope Solo’s story is on its way to the big screen. Deadline reports that an as-yet untitled biopic about the U.S. soccer star is in the works from writer-director Christine Crokos (“Pimp”) and Argent Pictures. Jill Ahrens (“Selah and The Spades”) is among the project’s producers.
A World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist, Solo grew up in the small town of Richland, Washington. She was pursued by several colleges and ended up playing goalie for University of Washington, “breaking numerous records on her way to becoming one of the best women’s goalkeepers in Pac-10 history,” the source writes. She went to play for Seattle Reign, Saint Louis Athletica, and Atlanta Beat, and represented the U.S. at three World Cups and three Olympics. Solo retired from the game in 2016.
“Hope Solo is a force of nature who broke down walls in women’s sports, both as a player and as a humanitarian,” said Crokos. “Her story is one of pure trailblazing and fierce athleticism — one that many generations to come will honor and look up to.”
“We are very excited to be working to bring Hope’s life story to the big screen with Christine at the helm. Hope is an amazing athlete, with an intense competitive spirit, who has achieved some of the highest accomplishments in women’s soccer as a professional goalkeeper,” stressed producer Ben Renzo. “Her journey to becoming an elite athlete and one of the best soccer players at her position is incredibly motivating, and that’s what makes this story special to us. We want to make movies that entertain and inspire – and Hope’s story encompasses those themes.”
Solo currently holds the single-season and career records for most goalkeeper wins: 26 and 153, respectively. She has the most career shutouts, 102, and the longest undefeated streak by a goalkeeper, 55 consecutive matches spanning from 2002-2008.
Solo is also a self-described feminist and a prominent voice in the fight for equal pay and women’s rights in soccer.
Her life pre- and post-soccer stardom has seen its share of controversy. Solo had “a turbulent relationship with her father,” who briefly kidnapped her and her brother when they were children. She was arrested and charged with two misdemeanor counts of assault in the fourth degree in 2014. All charges were dropped last year.
Crokos made her feature directorial debut with 2008’s “Bang-Bang Wedding!” Her second feature, Keke Palmer-starrer “Pimp,” hit theaters last fall. She’s also written, directed, and produced several shorts.
