EverWonder Studio and Meadowlark Media are joining forces to produce a feature-length documentary exploring the captivating relationship between tennis icons Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. This collaboration marks EverWonder Studio’s first project, and they will co-finance and co-produce the documentary. In addition, the teams have acquired rights for a future scripted adaptation of the story. This exciting development was exclusively announced by Deadline.
Thrilled Partnerships
Chris Evert expressed her delight about the project moving forward and emphasized the importance of finding the right partners in EverWonder and Meadowlark. She expressed her eagerness to share their story with audiences worldwide, transcending the boundaries of tennis fans and appealing to anyone who appreciates an inspirational journey of rivalry evolving into mutual respect and friendship. Martina Navratilova echoed Evert’s sentiments, expressing her satisfaction with EverWonder and Meadowlark as the ideal studios to bring their story to life. She emphasized the importance of collaborating with storytellers who would properly honor both their lives and careers together.
The untitled documentary from EverWonder and Meadowlark promises to shed new light on the relationship between Evert and Navratilova. The film will include never-before-seen footage, providing a fresh perspective on their journey as friends and rivals. The documentary will also underscore the significance of friendship while facing life’s adversities. Although Navratilova ended her career with more total matches and Grand Slam victories, together, Evert and Navratilova ruled over the women’s tennis scene throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Moments of Greatness
Several notable moments in the duo’s joint history will be explored in the documentary. For instance, their triumph at the 1975 French Open women’s doubles title as a team, their epic 1985 French Open final, often considered one of the greatest women’s tennis matches of all time, and Navratilova’s introduction of Evert to her future husband Andy Mill, with whom Evert had three children before their divorce in 2006. Both Evert and Navratilova were inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, with Evert’s induction taking place in 1995 and Navratilova’s five years later.
The upcoming Evert-Navratilova documentary boasts an impressive lineup of executive producers. Jeff Zucker from RedBird IMI, Ian Orefice, John Skipper, Deirdre Fenton, Jon Wertheim, Mary Greenham from NewsPresenters Media, and Lawrence Frankopan from StarWing Sports will all serve as executive producers. EverWonder Studio’s CEO, Ian Orefice, expressed his honor and excitement at being chosen as Evert and Navratilova’s storytelling partner alongside Meadowlark Media. He emphasized that EverWonder’s mission is to celebrate exceptional stories, making this collaboration with the iconic tennis legends a perfect fit.
RedBird IMI CEO, Jeff Zucker, echoed Orefice’s sentiments and highlighted how Chris and Martina’s story aligns perfectly with EverWonder’s vision. He expressed his gratitude to the tennis stars for entrusting their story to EverWonder. John Skipper, co-founder of Meadowlark Media, praised the impact Evert and Navratilova had on women’s tennis, emphasizing the documentary’s potential to inspire and fascinate viewers. The partnership between EverWonder and Meadowlark holds the promise of creating a captivating and inspiring documentary.
About EverWonder Studio and Meadowlark Media
EverWonder Studio, launched by Ian Orefice, focuses on financing, producing, and distributing documentary content for film and television. The aim is to create content with global impact and potential for brand extensions and the development of new intellectual property. Meadowlark Media, founded by John Skipper and Dan Le Batard, is renowned for producing sports-focused content. They previously created the soccer docuseries “Good Rivals” with Ocellated Media and Skydance Sports. Meadowlark has also struck deals with Backstage Media and Apple for the development of audio and television content.
The collaboration between EverWonder Studio and Meadowlark Media to produce the documentary on Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova’s relationship marks an exciting milestone. This highly anticipated film will shed new light on their captivating story, showcasing their journey from rivals to friends. With the inclusion of never-before-seen footage and the expertise of the executive producers, this documentary promises to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide. The partnership between EverWonder and Meadowlark ensures that the true power and impact of Evert and Navratilova’s lives and careers will be honored and celebrated in the most compelling way possible.