EXCLUSIVE: Filming has wrapped on The Force – The Michael Watson Story, Sean Cronin’s biopic about the British boxing legend. We’ve got pics of Victor Hugo (Gemini Man) as Watson, and Michael Gukas as Chris Eubank.
Watson and Eubank faced off in an infamous WBO super middleweight fight in 1991. The pair had fought in an earlier bout that Eubank won by a majority decision. The rematch took place at the White Hart Lane soccer stadium and the fight was stopped in the twelfth round after Watson collapsed. He suffered a severe brain injury and spent 40 days in a coma.
Victor Hugo as British boxer Michael Watson in ‘The Force’
Michael Gukas stars as Chris Eubank in ‘The Force’, pictured above in a pic from the movie
He has since rebuilt his life, learning to walk again and he is considered one of the UK’s most inspirational sportsmen. Matthew Bazell wrote the screenplay for the film, which charts Watson’s incredible recovery and the legal battle that resulted in reforms to boxing safety regulations, changes that continue to influence the sport today.
The Force is produced by Magnificent Films in partnership with Matchroom. It features an array of iconic British and international boxing names including Mo George as Nigel Benn, Khali Best (Top Boy) as Gerald McClellan and Nick Moran (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) as Barry Hearn. There are also portrayals of Frank Bruno, Don King and Muhammad Ali.
Production recreated the White Hart Lane bout at Longcross Studios in the UK on September 21, 2025, 34 years after the original fight, and Watson made a guest appearance during filming.
