[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"football-site-config":3,"world-cup-status-en":27,"news-detail-ian-wright-biopic-stormzy-s-merky-joins-production":43,"news-related-ian-wright-biopic-stormzy-s-merky-joins-production-en":76,"news-related-match-ian-wright-biopic-stormzy-s-merky-joins-production-en":182},{"adSlots":4,"affiliateMode":5,"brandName":6,"contentStrategy":7,"currency":8,"friendLinks":9,"homepageLayoutKey":10,"leagueFocus":11,"locale":12,"planVisibility":13,"seoDescription":14,"seoTitleTemplate":15,"siteCode":10,"siteName":6,"siteType":10,"subscriptionMode":5,"timezone":16,"id":17,"tenantID":18,"primaryDomain":19,"countryCode":20,"logoUrl":21,"faviconUrl":21,"theme":22,"seoKeywords":24,"status":25,"ads":4,"focusLeagues":26,"affiliatePolicies":26},[],"shared","Football Prediction Platform","scores_predictions","USD",[],"main",[],"en-US",[],"Football fixtures, results, free predictions, subscriptions, and clearly labeled partner links.","{page} | Football Prediction Platform","America\u002FNew_York",323900000000000000,1,"football.easytestdev.online","US","",{"primaryColor":23},"#1677ff","football predictions, football fixtures, football results","active",null,{"active":28,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"leagueImagePath":31,"seasonId":32,"seasonName":33,"startingAt":34,"endingAt":35,"daysToStart":36,"daysToEnd":37,"phase":38,"includeQualifying":28,"hostCities":39},true,"326135624916537344","World Cup","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fleagues\u002F1.png","326255613308833792","2026\u002F2027","2026-06-11","2026-06-28",6,23,"upcoming",[40,41,42],"Mexico City","Monterrey","Zapopan",{"article":44},{"awayTeamId":45,"awayTeamName":46,"body":47,"category":48,"excerpt":49,"homeTeamId":50,"homeTeamName":51,"id":52,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":53,"matchName":54,"publishedAt":55,"slug":56,"sourceName":57,"sourceURL":58,"teamId":45,"teamName":46,"teamIds":59,"teamNames":67,"title":75},"326257545712766976","Manchester United","The remarkable rise of Arsenal icon Ian Wright is heading to the big screen, with a biopic that promises to delve deep into the striker's turbulent early years and his against-all-odds ascent to football stardom. In a move that underscores the cultural crossover between music and sport, rapper Stormzy's production company #Merky Films has boarded the project as co-producer, helping to bring what both men describe as an 'important and powerful story' to audiences worldwide.\n\nWright, who netted 185 goals for the Gunners and remains one of the Premier League's all-time greats, has never shied away from discussing the adversity that shaped him. Born in Woolwich in 1963 to Jamaican parents who arrived in Britain as part of the Windrush generation, he endured a childhood marked by poverty and abuse at the hands of his stepfather. Football, as the film will portray, became his lifeline. 'It's about resilience, family and believing in yourself against the odds,' Stormzy, a lifelong Manchester United fan, said of the narrative his company will help shape.\n\nThe biopic will chronicle Wright's journey from those harrowing beginnings through a string of rejected trials with clubs like Southend United and Brighton & Hove Albion, to his days banging in goals for amateur side Ten-em-Bee in Sunday league football. It culminates in the pivotal moment when his raw talent finally caught the eye of a professional club — Crystal Palace, where he signed his first contract at the relatively late age of 21 — forcing him to decide whether to 'take a shot at the big time'. That leap of faith would see him become Palace's record goalscorer before a £2.5 million move to Arsenal in 1991, a then-club-record fee.\n\nCentral to the story is Wright's relationship with Sydney Pigden, the school teacher he has called 'the greatest man in the world'. Pigden taught the future England striker to read and write, and crucially, instilled in him the belief that he could transcend his circumstances. Their emotional reunion, captured on camera years later, became a viral sensation and affirmed the profound impact one person can have. Wright hopes the film will show that 'life can be complicated for a young person and the influence people around you can have – good and bad.'\n\nStormzy's involvement as executive producer brings more than celebrity clout; it signals a broader ambition to tell stories from communities often left on the margins of mainstream cinema. #Merky Films has already carved a niche in projects that blend entertainment with social commentary, and Wright's journey — part sports drama, part social realist portrait — fits that mould. The rapper, whose own rise from south London estate life to global fame mirrors themes of perseverance, said it was an 'honour' to help bring Wright's 'inspiring' story to the screen.\n\nThe biopic also arrives at a moment when Wright's post-playing career is in transition. After retiring in 2000, he became one of British television's most recognisable faces, particularly as a beloved pundit on the BBC's Match of the Day. However, his departure from the flagship highlights show in 2024 came just a year after the brief suspension of co-host Gary Lineker over comments on UK government immigration policy — a controversy that roiled the BBC and sparked a wider debate about impartiality and free speech. While Wright has not publicly linked his exit to that incident, the timing underscores a period of change for the broadcaster's football coverage, and the biopic represents a natural next chapter for a man who has always balanced media work with advocacy.\n\nIndeed, Wright's off-pitch voice has grown louder in recent years. He has been a tireless campaigner against domestic violence, drawing on his own childhood experiences, and a vocal champion for women's football long before its current boom. In 2023, Prince William presented him with an OBE for services to football and charity, cementing his status as a national figure who transcends the sport. More recently, he co-managed a team in the six-a-side Baller League alongside fellow England legend Alan Shearer, demonstrating his enduring passion for the game's grassroots.\n\nThe production team has yet to announce a cast, director, or release date, but anticipation is already building. A film that chronicles a black British sporting icon's path from trauma to triumph, with the backing of one of the UK's most influential musicians, could resonate far beyond diehard football fans. It also rides a wave of high-profile sports biopics and docuseries — from 'The Last Dance' to 'Welcome to Wrexham' — that have proven there is a voracious appetite for intimate, character-driven stories set in the world of athletics.\n\nFor Wright, the project is both catharsis and legacy. 'Telling my story in full for the first time feels surreal and, in some ways, a long time coming,' he said, adding that he ultimately wants the film to give people 'hope and joy'. Given the depth of the material — from the brutality of his stepfather's abuse to the redemptive power of a teacher's kindness — the biopic has the potential to be a landmark in sports storytelling. And with #Merky Films in the mix, it will carry an authenticity that speaks directly to the communities that shaped him.\n\nThe collaboration also reflects a growing trend of artists using their platforms to amplify narratives that mainstream studios might overlook. Stormzy, whose own philanthropy has seen him fund scholarships for black students at Cambridge University, has long aligned his business ventures with a social purpose. 'Ian Wright inspired generations on and off the pitch,' he said, positioning the film as a tribute to that legacy. For fans of Wright, football, and cinema alike, the wait for further details will be keenly watched.\n\nBased on reporting from BBC Sport.","news","Rapper Stormzy's #Merky Films co-produces biopic on Ian Wright's journey from abusive childhood and amateur football to Arsenal legend and pundit.","326257546291580928","Brighton","329704930141016065","327055352312893440","Brighton vs Manchester United","2026-05-12T16:45:36Z","ian-wright-biopic-stormzy-s-merky-joins-production","BBC Sport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002Fczj2kgm9y7do?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss",[45,50,60,61,62,63,64,65,66],"326257686389723136","326257808917925888","326222711682502656","326257545968619520","326257567044997120","326257554302701568","326255037950988288",[46,51,68,69,70,71,72,73,74],"Together","Southend","England","Arsenal","Rangers","Sydney","Crystal Palace","Ian Wright Biopic: Stormzy's #Merky Joins Production",[77,100,138,159],{"awayTeamId":78,"awayTeamName":79,"body":-1,"category":48,"excerpt":80,"homeTeamId":45,"homeTeamName":46,"id":81,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":82,"matchName":83,"publishedAt":84,"slug":85,"sourceName":57,"sourceURL":86,"teamId":87,"teamName":88,"teamIds":89,"teamNames":94,"title":99},"326257546392244224","Nottingham Forest","Man City's opening bid for Elliot Anderson rejected by Forest; record British fee possible as midfielder favors Etihad move over Man United.","337754884008841217","327054566501650432","Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest","2026-06-03T22:41:17Z","man-city-bid-rejected-105m-fee-looms-for-anderson","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fsport\u002Ffootball\u002Farticles\u002Fc042w3w601yo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","326257546258026496","Manchester City",[87,45,78,90,91,62,63,92,93],"326257545754710016","326257546153168896","326222711908995072","326222711653142528",[88,46,79,95,96,70,71,97,98],"Newcastle","West Ham","Mexico","Spain","Man City Bid Rejected: £105m+ Fee Looms for Anderson",{"awayTeamId":63,"awayTeamName":71,"body":-1,"category":48,"excerpt":101,"homeTeamId":102,"homeTeamName":103,"id":104,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":105,"matchName":106,"publishedAt":107,"slug":108,"sourceName":109,"sourceURL":110,"teamId":111,"teamName":112,"teamIds":113,"teamNames":125,"title":137},"Brazil captain Marquinhos, fresh off Champions League win with PSG, treats every match as his last ahead of World Cup 2026 opener vs Morocco on June 13.","326257536078450688","Paris Saint Germain","337759123426775041","331980430133694464","Paris Saint Germain vs Arsenal","2026-06-03T22:33:08Z","marquinhos-sets-world-cup-mindset-every-match-like-last","L'Equipe","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FActualites\u002FA-la-coupe-du-monde-avec-le-bresil-marquinhos-veut-vivre-chaque-match-comme-si-c-etait-le-dernier\u002F1681618#at_medium=RSS_feeds","326222711569256448","Brazil",[111,102,63,114,115,116,117,118,119,120,121,122,123,124],"326222711447621632","326222767416414208","326255042342424576","326255044263415808","326257536296554496","326257537865224192","326222712265510912","326222712219373568","326222711493758976","326257576805142528","326222707169431552",[112,103,71,126,127,128,129,130,131,132,133,134,135,136],"France","Lesotho","Silkeborg","Sileks","Auxerre","Estoril","Egypt","Morocco","Croatia","Tune","Anderlecht","Marquinhos Sets World Cup Mindset: 'Every Match Like Last'",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":48,"excerpt":139,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":140,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":141,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":142,"slug":143,"sourceName":144,"sourceURL":145,"teamId":62,"teamName":70,"teamIds":146,"teamNames":152,"title":158},"Harry Kane, 32, will see reduced minutes at the 2026 World Cup as Thomas Tuchel manages his workload amid heat, a 4,423-minute season, and expanded tournament.","337739933454176257","0","2026-06-03T22:10:00Z","harry-kane-why-he-ll-play-fewer-minutes-at-2026-world-cup","Sky Sports","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.skysports.com\u002Ffootball\u002Fnews\u002F12040\u002F13550591\u002Fworld-cup-2026-why-harry-kane-could-play-less-minutes-for-england-in-the-usa-canada-and-mexico-this-summer",[62,147,102,148,149,150,151,45,78],"326257534430089216","326257808385249280","326222712462643200","326257809152806912","326257534329425920",[70,153,103,154,155,156,157,46,79],"Eintracht Frankfurt","Sheffield Wednesday","Bosnia & Herzegovina","Milton Keynes Dons","Borussia Dortmund","Harry Kane: Why He'll Play Fewer Minutes at 2026 World Cup",{"awayTeamId":63,"awayTeamName":71,"body":-1,"category":48,"excerpt":160,"homeTeamId":102,"homeTeamName":103,"id":161,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":105,"matchName":106,"publishedAt":162,"slug":163,"sourceName":109,"sourceURL":164,"teamId":165,"teamName":166,"teamIds":167,"teamNames":174,"title":181},"With Saliba injured (back), Konaté auditions for France against Ivory Coast. Deschamps downplays concern; Konaté's club form raises questions.","337736694017036289","2026-06-03T21:14:37Z","konate-steps-up-what-saliba-s-back-injury-means-for-bleus","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FArticle\u002FMalgre-sa-saison-decevante-avec-liverpool-ibrahima-konate-est-il-le-remplacant-ideal-de-william-saliba-en-defense-centrale-avec-les-bleus\u002F1681559#at_medium=RSS_feeds","326257545918287872","Liverpool",[165,102,63,168,169,170,115,171,172,118,173,114,124],"326257535994564608","326222707446255616","326222712936599552","326255039846813696","326255041625198592","326222712533946368",[166,103,71,175,176,177,127,178,179,130,180,126,136],"Nantes","Antwerp","Paraguay","FK Partizan","Partizani","Ivory Coast","Konaté Steps Up: What Saliba's Back Injury Means for Bleus",{"awayScore":183,"awayTeam":184,"description":188,"homeScore":189,"homeTeam":190,"id":53,"kickoffAt":194,"length":195,"leagueId":196,"leagueName":197,"leagueSlug":198,"probabilityLabel":197,"slug":199,"status":200,"tvStations":201,"venueCity":51,"venueName":202},3,{"code":185,"id":45,"imagePath":186,"name":46,"slug":187},"AWY","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fteams\u002F33.png","manchester-united","A win on the final day secures European football for both sides. Brighton chase a historic Champions League berth, while Manchester United need three points to guarantee a top-four finish. The result will determine their continental fate.",0,{"code":191,"id":50,"imagePath":192,"name":51,"slug":193},"HME","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fteams\u002F51.png","brighton","2026-05-24T15:00:00Z",90,"326135624635518976","Premier League","gb-premier-league","brighton-vs-manchester-united-2026-05-24","finished",[],"Amex Stadium"]