Sydney Sweeney Shocks Fans With Unrecognizable Look In New Movie

Sydney Sweeney appears to be embracing a new side of beauty from her workout regimen, as she flaunts her toned muscles in new images from the set of the Christy Martin biopic.

The actress posted a couple of snapshots early Wednesday morning, showcasing her remarkable character transformation, which has left her completely unrecognizable!

She has dyed her hair a rich dark brown, adding a bit of curl for a fresh look—definitely a departure from her iconic Sydney Sweeney straight blonde style.

She mentioned that paparazzi photos taken last week had already leaked the surprise, leaving her unbothered about sharing these behind-the-scenes glimpses from the set.

"Well, the cats out of the bag thanks to some paps in bushes, so here’s a little bts from my film I'm working on right now," she wrote in the caption. "Over the past few months, I’ve been immersed in training to bring to life the story of an incredible woman—a true champion who fought battles both inside and outside the ring."

Sweeney is seen wearing a pair of gray sweatpants and a red tank top, flexing her powerful arms for the camera and showcasing her impressive physique as she transforms into Christy Martin.

"Her journey is a testament to resilience, strength, and hope, and I’m honored to step into her shoes to share her powerful story with you all. more to come soon," the actress added.

Her post quickly went viral, leaving fans astonished by her dramatic new look.

"This transformation truly threw me off," one Instagram user said. "I’m excited to see what you do with it."

Another simply commented, "Wow!!"

"Jacked Sweeney," a third expressed.

Sweeney expressed her excitement to take on this new challenge in an interview with Deadline, revealing that she had grappled and kickboxed for nearly a decade. She eagerly anticipates returning to the ring and training once more.

Naturally, Sweeney received training from the woman she is portraying, as Martin offered to teach her the finer points of boxing in preparation for the film.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker David Michôd, known for his gripping films like "Animal Kingdom" and "The King," the currently untitled project will explore the true story of Martin's rise to fame as America's most recognized female boxer in the 1990s—dubbed the “female Rocky” by the film's producers.

She is joined in the cast by Ben Foster, Merritt Wever, Jess Gabor, Katy O’Brian, Ethan Embry, and Chad L. Coleman.

After the news broke that Sweeney would be taking on the role of Martin, she opened up about her excitement to start kickboxing again.

“I grappled and did kickboxing from 12-19 years old. I’ve been itching to get back into the ring, train, and transform my body. Christy’s story isn’t a light one, it’s physically and emotionally demanding, there’s a lot of weight to carry. But I love challenging myself," she told Deadline. “Christy Martin not only legitimized female boxing, she overcame gender stereotypes, and fought through emotional, physical, and financial abuse."

She continued, "I’m passionate about the fighting world, Christy’s story shines a light on her incredible rise to the top while showing the struggles of fame behind the curtains. I feel compelled to tell a story about a woman who faced so much adversity and didn’t allow it to defeat her. It’s powerful, and emotional.”

A naturally talented fighter, her life took a significant turn in 1989 when she met her manager and future husband, Jim Martin. Breaking barriers, she became the first woman to sign with legendary promoter Don King and the only female boxer to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Her charisma, striking looks, and resilience in the ring garnered her a devoted fanbase and led her to become welterweight champion. However, beneath her polished public image, she battled personal demons, toxic relationships, and a harrowing attempt on her life.