Ricky Hatton © Noah Media Group, 2022
Production has commenced on the Sky Original feature-length documentary Hitman: The Ricky Hatton Story (w/t), which promises to explore the incredible story of one of the world’s greatest living fighters.
Noah Media Group and Sky Studios, Sky’s original programming arm across Europe, will co-produce as part of a development and production agreement the companies signed in 2021. The film is commissioned by Poppy Dixon, Sky’s Director of Documentaries and Factual, and Hayley Reynolds, Commissioning Editor, and is set to air on Sky Documentaries in 2023.
The feature-length film has the blessing of Hatton, who will share his unseen, personal archive and will be contributing alongside his family, friends, fans and opponents. The director is BAFTA and Royal Television Society-nominated Dan Dewsbury (Louis Theroux’s Forbidden America; Ian Wright: Home Truths).
Hitman: The Ricky Hatton Story “will chart Hatton’s incredible journey – the celebratory highs and the severe lows – from Manchester council estate, to the bright lights of Las Vegas,” say Noah Media Group and Sky Studios.
“Addressing contemporary themes such as class, money and celebrity, along with identity and mental health, Hitman: The Ricky Hatton Story is both a celebration and a cautionary tale that stretches far beyond the boxing ring; a rollercoaster of success and excess, regret, and redemption. Compelling, emotional and inspiring, the film will be an authentic portrait of a unique British hero.”
Ricky Hatton commented: “I am absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Noah Media Group and Sky to make the definitive story of my life and career. To be working closely with Sky once again is a real pleasure for me; they were there from the very beginning of my professional boxing career and together, we really helped to create something special in British sport. My hope is that this film will be authentic and entertaining, but ultimately I want my fans and the public to really love it.”
Producer & Noah CEO John McKenna added: “We are delighted to be in production with Ricky Hatton and with Sky Documentaries in the UK and Sky Studios on this powerful feature documentary. Already, Ricky is bringing incredible honesty and access to his life and I am certain this will be a film that delivers what we always strive for: a fascinating human story, rooted in sport, with themes that reach far beyond.”
Poppy Dixon, Sky’s Director of Documentaries and Factual said: “Ricky Hatton is a unique British hero, whose charm and character captivated the country throughout his boxing career. His powerful personal story makes this film about so much more than just boxing, and with the expertise of Noah Media Group producing the film with Sky Studios, this definitive portrait will join the ranks of high-end feature documentaries on the channel.”
Hitman: The Ricky Hatton Story (w/t) will be released internationally in early 2023 and is being distributed by NBCUniversal Global Distribution on behalf of Sky Studios.
In November 2021, Noah Media Group and Sky Studios commenced production on their first collaboration; an upcoming feature documentary centered around the captivating and tragic story of Formula One legends, Gilles Villeneuve & Didier Pironi, in collaboration with Sky Italia.
