Millie Bobby Brown is reportedly in final negotiations to star as Olympic gymnast Kerri Strug in the upcoming biopic Perfect. The film will center around Strug's remarkable performance at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, where she secured the gold medal for the USA team, despite a severe ankle injury.
Perfect will tell the story of the 1996 USA women's gymnastics team, known as the "Magnificent Seven". Strug, then 18, played a crucial role in their victory when she landed a vault perfectly on her second attempt, after injuring her ankle on the first. Her courageous act of resilience became an iconic Olympic moment. Despite her injury, she hopped on one foot to salute the judges, securing the first-ever gold medal for the American team in the team competition.
Gia Coppola is set to direct the film, with Ronnie Sandahl penning the script. The movie is expected to begin filming in Spring 2026. Netflix is reportedly in negotiations to acquire the package and distribute the film, continuing Brown's strong relationship with the streaming service.
Brown, known for her role as Eleven in Stranger Things, will also produce Perfect under her PMCA banner. Nik Bower for Riverstone Pictures and Thomas Benski via Magna Studios will also produce. This role could potentially earn Brown her first Oscar nominations, both for Best Actress and Best Picture as a producer.
The 1996 "Magnificent Seven" team included other notable gymnasts such as Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Dominique Dawes, Amy Chow, Jaycie Phelps, and team captain Amanda Borden. The film is based on the real-life story of the team's victory. Strug's courageous performance led to instant national fame. After the Olympics, she visited President Clinton, appeared on talk shows, and graced the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Perfect was initially announced in 2020, with Olivia Wilde initially slated to direct. Thomasin McKenzie was also previously considered for the role of Kerri Strug. With Coppola now directing and Brown in the lead, the film is moving forward with a new vision.
As Stranger Things comes to an end with its final season premiering in three parts starting November 26, this role marks a significant step in Brown's career. She has expressed gratitude for her time on Stranger Things and is ready to embrace new challenges. Brown is also slated to appear in other upcoming Netflix projects, including Enola Holmes 3 and Just Picture It. Audiences can anticipate the film's release in late 2026.
