Close-up of a book or magazine cover titled "DYNAMITE" with the subtitle "The True Story of Wrestling's Greatest Tragedy."

DYNAMITE

Dynamite tells the true story of Tom Billington, known to the world as The Dynamite Kid, one of Britain’s most gifted and influential wrestlers.

Rising from a working-class background, Tom helped redefine professional wrestling. He conquered North America, became a lasting icon in Japan, and alongside the British Bulldogs, changed the global perception of British wrestling forever.

But greatness came at a devastating cost.

Behind the success was a man pushed beyond human limits. Physical damage, addiction, violence, and unchecked ambition tore through Tom’s life. The industry moved on. His body did not. Once a global star, Tom was left wheelchair-bound, living back in a council flat in Wigan, paying the price for a business that celebrated his brilliance and ignored the consequences.

Dynamite is an unflinching character study. A story of triumph and collapse. Of talent, obsession, and regret. Told with unprecedented honesty by those closest to him, this film does not seek to excuse or condemn, but to tell the full truth, and ask what happens when a man gives everything to be the best.

Black and white photo of a man with a shaved head and glasses, wearing a jacket, walking indoors with a phone in his hand. The word "DYNAMITE" is overlaid at the bottom in bold white letters with a red line above it.

 

Why this film…

Tom Billington’s story is often told through highlights, mythology, and reputation. The matches. The innovation. The legend. What is usually left out is the cost.

Behind the success was long-term physical damage, addiction, fractured relationships, and a man pushed beyond his limits. Wrestling moved on. Tom did not. The consequences followed him for the rest of his life.

Stories about greatness carry responsibility. When the damage is ignored or softened, the truth is distorted. Legacy becomes fantasy. Future generations inherit a lie about what success looks like and what it demands.

Dynamite exists to tell the full story. Not to excuse, not to condemn, and not to sanitise. This film was made to confront the reality of ambition, the price of silence, and what happens when the cheering stops.

Development & Proof of Concept

Having spent the past year developing the script and speaking directly with those closest to Tom, the film has now moved into pre-production.

In January 2025, a proof of concept was produced to establish the aesthetic, tone, and dramatic approach of the feature. This material was created not as a trailer, but as a visual foundation for the film.

The response to the proof of concept has been overwhelmingly positive. Mick Foley, former WWE World Champion, commented:

“I watched the trailer for Dynamite and it has only served to whet my appetite for more of this remarkable man’s life story.”

“I watched the trailer for Dynamite and it has only served to whet my appetite for more of this remarkable man’s life story.”

Mick Foley - WWE Hall of Famer
4 Time World Champion

A man wearing glasses sits in a wheelchair in a dimly lit room, holding an object close to his face. There is a painting on the wall behind him, and a small table with a lamp and other items.
Person watching television in a dimly lit living room with another person sitting nearby.
Black and white photo of a man smiling and touching his forehead, seen through a camera monitor.
A man with glasses sits in a dimly lit room, holding a bottle, with a painting of a boxing match hanging on the wall behind him. A professional light setup is visible in the background.

 

Your Questions, Answered - FAQ

  • Yes, Dynamite is a biographical drama based on the true story of Tom Billington, also known as "The Dynamite Kid." The film chronicles his rise from a working-class background in Wigan to becoming a global wrestling icon, and the devastating physical and personal cost of his ambition.

  • Dynamite is produced by Lou Murrall and Andrew Gough for Mercian Films, an independent British production company based in the West Midlands, UK.

  • Yes, the film is being made with the support of the Billington estate, ensuring the story honors Tom Billington's legacy while remaining true to real events.

  • Yes, Bret "The Hitman" Hart is consulting on key aspects of the film, specifically providing expertise on the wrestling matches to ensure in-ring authenticity.

  • Dynamite follows the life of British wrestler Tom Billington. It explores his intense drive to be the best, his legendary partnership in the British Bulldogs, and his eventual tragic decline due to injuries and addiction. The film is an unflinching look at the price of greatness in the world of professional wrestling.

  • Dynamite is a narrative feature film, not a documentary. While it is rooted in historical fact and the real life of Tom Billington, it is a dramatized character study designed to confront the harsh realities of his legacy.

  • The Dynamite Kid was the ring name of Tom Billington (1958–2018), a highly influential British professional wrestler. He is widely considered one of the most technically gifted in-ring performers in history, known for revolutionizing the industry with his speed and athleticism before his career was cut short by injury.