Movies

The Inspiring True Story Behind Unstoppable: A Champion Wrestler’s Journey to Hollywood

BBG News

For the first encounter between Jharrel Jerome and Anthony Robles, young Jerome was filled with apprehension. Fresh off being selected to embody Robles – an NCAA wrestling champion born with only one leg – in his biopic, Jerome harbored reservations about their initial meeting location: a hotel fitness center. As a 21-year-old actor (known for ‘Moonlight’ and ‘Monster’), Jerome had limited experience inside a gym, making him feel ill at ease when they started exercising shortly after greeting each other.

Jerome expressed that it was his physicality that made him feel intimidated, he said. He wishes they had met in a more casual setting like a café, where they could have shared a meal together instead.

For Robles, the designated meeting place – his “familiar zone” – held strategic importance as it served primarily to build trust between them. Over the subsequent 90 minutes, the duo engaged in physical activities such as exercising and weightlifting, synchronizing their rhythms. They discussed common characteristics, values, and the significant bonds they shared with their mothers, “the depth of our affection for them and how instrumental they were in our lives,” Robles recounts. “Gradually, that trust grew naturally to a point where I could openly divulge personal matters.

Despite finding himself sweating profusely (a prelude to many such instances) and engaging in a conversation that day, Jerome was taken aback by the fact that one of the most formidable wrestlers in college history displayed such encouragement, kindness, and politeness during their meeting. “I was utterly bewildered,” Jerome remarks. “I mean, isn’t this the same person who is known for his ferocity on the mat? Isn’t this a champion wrestler?” Jerome recounts his thoughts. “That’s what I wanted to understand, that contradiction. How can he be so fierce and brutal during matches, yet so kind and protective outside of them?

In the film “Unstoppable,” now streaming on Prime Video, director William Goldenberg presents his debut work, a compassionate portrayal of the protagonist, Robles, emphasizing his physical constraints, relentless perseverance, and untainted resilience. The movie is adapted from Robles’ own book, “Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated,” published in 2012. This film chronicles an extraordinary journey, starting from being a neglected Arizona State walk-on to becoming a collegiate national champion. Supported by his mother Judy’s (portrayed by Jennifer Lopez in the movie) unwavering belief, Robles’ life story is the perfect material for a Hollywood film.

To infuse authenticity, Robles immersed himself deeply into both the scriptwriting and wrestling, meticulously ensuring that Jerome portrayed his uplifting, indomitable spirit, as well as his distinctive athletic methods at each crutch-aided movement. “It was a pleasure to be involved in this project from its conception to completion,” Robles expresses. “I knew that people would resonate with it, and it would inspire them in some way.

How wrestling changed Robles’ life

Growing up, I, Robles, never viewed myself as handicapped. Even though I was born without a right leg, the reason for which remains a mystery, I preferred to view it as a challenge rather than a disability. Instead of adhering to a prosthetic device prescribed by doctors at the tender age of three, I chose crutches that allowed me to keep pace with my neighborhood friends and siblings. “I owe a great deal of appreciation to my mom and my siblings during my formative years,” I reminisce. “They never treated me differently. They never regarded my missing limb as an obstacle in my life’s journey.

In his formative years, the love and backing he received at home helped him navigate many tough situations, such as when children made fun of him or gave him strange looks. Despite this, Robles refused to isolate himself from the world and instead found the strength to participate in the same activities as his friends without dwelling on it too much. This extended to learning to ride a bicycle, which Judy modified with pockets over the pedals so he could keep going. Each day, he was resolute about conquering similar hurdles. “I’d return home, finding inspiration in their words of encouragement: ‘I’m going to keep battling. I’m going to find a solution,'” he recalls. “It was like solving a puzzle. I just had to discover the right pieces.

At the age of 14, Robles along with his family (which comprised of Robles’ stepfather, portrayed by Bobby Cannavale) migrated from California to Mesa, Arizona. During the summer preceding ninth grade, his elder cousin persistently prompted him to give wrestling a try. After some time, he accompanied his cousin to one of his training sessions and observed. While Robles was lifting weights on the sidelines, the coach approached him and suggested he join the group. Initially reluctant, he decided to get onto the mat to appease his cousin. “The first time I was tossed around, but I left with a beaming smile and an unquenchable enthusiasm for wrestling,” Robles recalls. “From that moment, I knew I wanted to be a wrestler.

Robles adored the demanding nature, bodily challenges, and mental fortitude of the sport. He asserts, “There’s no one who can substitute for you.” In other words, if you’re losing, the coach can’t call a time-out to replace you with someone else. Instead, it’s up to you to find a solution. Over time, wrestling served as a means for him to shape his life story, to alter the way others viewed him. “Children and adults would stare at me because I was unique,” Robles explains. “On the wrestling mat, I could concentrate and truly make them see me as I saw myself.

Initially, some opponents were reluctant to fully grapple with Robles, but this changed once he switched to offensive tactics and began earning everyone’s admiration. After ending his first year with a 5-8 record, things fell into place for him during his sophomore year when he ranked sixth among Arizona wrestlers and understood that he had the skills to stand atop the podium. As expected, over his junior and senior years, he maintained an unbeaten record of 96 wins and secured two state championship titles. “I couldn’t perform my moves in the same way as my teammates,” he reflects. “I had to adapt. I needed to modify things to my advantage. It was about finding the right pieces of the puzzle with my coaches and investing the necessary time.

He had a remarkably similar career path during his college years. Despite prestigious institutions like Iowa and Columbia not offering him scholarships, he joined Arizona State’s team as a walk-on. In his sophomore and junior years, he earned All-American honors, and in his senior year, he went undefeated, defeating Matt McDonough from Iowa in the 2011 NCAA championship. Robles expresses his gratitude for him, stating that to keep pace with him, he had to significantly raise his discipline, work ethic, and effort. This competition made him a better individual overall, toughening his mental fortitude.

How Jharrel Jerome turned into the wrestler

One year following his championship win, Robles shared his journey in an autobiography. Quickly captivated by his tale, producers Andy Fraser and David Crockett conceived a movie based on it. Despite going through different stages, the project finally gained traction when Goldenberg took charge. “He visited my family to discuss the project,” Robles recalls, “and dined with us at home. It was meaningful for me to witness his sincerity and the depth of his passion in telling my story in a manner that would bring joy and pride to us.

Working both over the phone and in person, Robles collaborated with writers John Hindman, Eric Champnella, and Alex Harris to enrich their script with meaningful anecdotes, precise language, and emphasize emotional moments. “My family would read through the scripts and share our thoughts,” Robles explains. “They listened carefully and made adjustments based on our feedback.” The wrestler aimed to preserve a sense of authenticity as some aspects of his life (such as the final score of his championship match) were altered or simplified for dramatic purposes. “We needed to make adjustments in certain areas,” Robles states. “They valued the underlying message and the elements that mattered to my family and me.

The primary task of Robles was to transform Jerome into a wrestler with a prosthetic leg. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic and production delays, the training became an arduous, prolonged process. Jerome began his wrestling journey at the start of 2020, but it was halted for two years because of Covid-19. After resuming a seven-month workout program in late 2022, he also maintained his fitness during the writer’s strike for an additional five months. “I felt like I was hanging by a thread,” Jerome says. “Anthony was my support, always reminding me that there’s something much greater at play, and I just needed to keep going.

Initially, Jerome and Robles were positioned on the mat. As they began their training, the actor started mastering moves with both legs, focusing on fundamental terms, hand-to-hand combat techniques, and memorization. They advanced to the floor where Jerome adapted to assuming a kneeling position and using his fists as if they were legs. Following this, Jerome started committing to memory the choreography for the eight matches he anticipated performing. At first, the actor felt fragile, not wanting to be lifted or tossed around. However, over time, this changed. “There was a moment when I was slammed and I bounced back up, eager for the next round,” Jerome recalls. “It was about gaining the confidence of a wrestler. And that’s when I started feeling like Anthony.

Eventually, due to film editing requirements, Jerome had to ignore his right leg which was later concealed in a green cast. He describes this as “wrestling on the ground with my right knee forward and my right leg trailing like a tail.” To make it appear that he wasn’t wearing anything beneath his pants, the costume team cut the back of his leg sleeve open. This was more challenging during scenes where he used crutches because he had to adjust his leg position. Jerome practiced walking with crutches off-set and this caused him calluses, which were the most difficult aspect as he had to carry them everywhere.

Robles explained that it was more about linking each step along the way and ensuring a sense of comfort before proceeding. Over time, it was fascinating to notice how Jharrel seemed to forget entirely about the leg being there,” or alternatively, “Robles described the process as a series of connecting steps, making sure we felt comfortable before advancing. Gradually, it became intriguing to watch Jharrel act as if the leg wasn’t even there.

Alongside training Jerome and creating wrestling routines, Robles additionally stepped in as his stand-in for scenes not focusing on facial expressions. “I could give it my all,” Robles explains, “since he performed exceptionally well, allowing me to display all my abilities.” They collectively referred to their choreography as a “violent dance,” which challenged both of them and led them into uncharted territories. “It turned out fantastic,” Robles says, expressing great pride in the result.

Why Robles shared his life story

The term “Unstoppable” encompasses more than just wrestling. Robles, as portrayed in his book, had a challenging upbringing marked by a tumultuous family life that worsened when his stepfather abandoned the family. Despite avoiding certain scenes during filming, he collaborated with Jerome to express the appropriate emotions, reactions, and feelings related to the tense, occasionally violent experiences of his teenage years. Robles recalls thinking, “There’s someone else who went through this too.” The entire family agreed to share their story publicly, exposing this scar to the world because they believed it would resonate with others.>

In the middle of the movie, during a crucial point, Robles contemplates quitting wrestling after Arizona State reduces its wrestling budget. However, this doesn’t last long as Judy gives him a sack filled with letters from children across the nation, praising him for being an inspiration in their lives. This scene, though quiet and emotional, stirs something within Robles, fueling his determination to persist. Jerome finds this moment significant, stating it encapsulates the film’s main message—Robles was no longer wrestling solely for himself. “That’s a genuine moment,” Jerome says, adding that Robles keeps those letters in a drawer even today.

After completing college and publishing his book, Robles went on to receive numerous accolades and recognitions. He was granted the “Jimmy V” Award for Perseverance, as well as being recognized as the Best Male Athlete with a Disability at the 2011 ESPYs. The following year, he was appointed to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition by President Obama, and was honored with the medal of courage by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Currently, Robles continues his involvement in the wrestling community as a coach at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona.

Reflecting on the movie portrayal of his life story, he finds it “healing.” It allows him to appreciate his journey more, recognizing that the hurdles he conquered have molded his determination as an athlete and individual. He explains, “We often dwell on the negativity of our experiences, focusing solely on the challenges in front of us.” However, he emphasizes, “It’s crucial to recall all the positive aspects working for us: our strength, our support system.” He views this cinematic experience as a chance to touch lives and motivate others.

Read More

2025-01-17 20:07

Previous post Sadie Frost Spotted With Ex-Boyfriend Darren Strowger After Kate Moss’ Star-Studded Birthday Bash
Next post Brawl Stars: Your Essential Guide to Loot, Brawlers, and All Things Fun!