Fist Fight

Fist Fight
Company type	Film
Industry	Entertainment (Film)
Founded	2017
Founder	Richie Keen (director), Van Robichaux and Evan Susser (screenplay)
Products	Comedy film
Parent	New Line Cinema, Village Roadshow Pictures, 21 Laps Entertainment, Wrigley Pictures, RatPac-Dune Entertainment

Fist Fight is a 2017 American comedy film directed by Richie Keen, with a screenplay by Van Robichaux and Evan Susser. The cast features Ice Cube, Charlie Day, Tracy Morgan, and Jillian Bell in leading roles, supported by Dean Norris, Christina Hendricks, Kumail Nanjiani, and Dennis Haysbert. The storyline centers on a teacher who is challenged to an after-school fistfight following his involvement in another teacher’s dismissal.

The movie was produced by New Line Cinema, Village Roadshow Pictures, 21 Laps Entertainment, Wrigley Pictures, and RatPac-Dune Entertainment. It debuted in Los Angeles on February 13, 2017, before its nationwide release in the United States on February 17, 2017. Despite receiving largely negative reviews from critics, the film earned $41 million globally against a production budget estimated between $22 and $25 million. It became available on DVD and Blu-ray on May 30, 2017.

Plot

On the final day before summer break, students orchestrate an elaborate senior prank while the faculty struggles to maintain discipline. Andy Campbell, an English teacher worried about potential cuts in his department and supporting a pregnant wife and child, faces increasing stress.

When history teacher Ron Strickland requests assistance with a VCR, a student named Neil covertly plays a prank on Strickland using his smartphone. Enraged by the prank, Strickland destroys Neil’s desk with a fire axe, causing turmoil. Both teachers are called to Principal Tyler’s office; initially agreeing to conceal the incident, Campbell eventually reveals the truth under threat of being fired. As a result, Strickland is terminated and subsequently challenges Campbell to an after-school fistfight. Fearing defeat, Campbell bribes Neil to provide false testimony that exonerates Strickland, leading to his reinstatement.

Campbell and Strickland meet with school counselor Holly, who manipulates them into confronting their dispute directly. Strickland remains upset that Campbell acted without informing him and insists that the fight must go forward. When Campbell calls 9-1-1 for assistance, his request is dismissed. After consulting with Holly and Coach Crawford, Campbell devises a plan to get Strickland removed from campus by planting MDMA—which Neil supplies—in Strickland’s bag and alerting the police. The scheme fails disastrously; both teachers are arrested.

While incarcerated, Campbell arranges for another inmate to attack Strickland. However, when the inmate strikes prematurely, Strickland fights back and demands that their original fight be completed. They are released once it is discovered that the substance is actually aspirin.

Upon returning to school, Campbell learns that Principal Tyler and Superintendent Johnson have dismissed most of the staff except him. He criticizes the underfunded public education system and attends his daughter Ally’s talent show, where her performance motivates him to face Strickland.

The two engage in an intense brawl across the campus grounds. Initially dominated by Strickland, Campbell gains momentum and appears victorious after striking with a fire extinguisher—only for Strickland to knock him out moments later. During their confrontation, Strickland discovers that Campbell’s wife is in labor and drives him to the hospital, ending their rivalry.

That summer, Tyler informs Campbell that public pressure has compelled the Department of Education to increase funding and rehire staff members. Campbell agrees on the condition that all his colleagues are reinstated.

With the new academic year underway, faculty members return to work; Campbell and Strickland have become close friends, with Campbell adopting a more authoritative stance toward students.

A post-credits scene shows Coach Crawford attempting to flirt with a 911 operator after rapping for her but realizing he does not know her name.

Cast

Ice Cube portrays Ron Strickland, a fiery and tough history teacher who works alongside Campbell.
Charlie Day plays Andrew "Andy" Campbell, also known as "Light Roast," the film's central character and a mild-tempered English instructor.
Tracy Morgan appears as Coach Crawford, the humorous physical education teacher.
Jillian Bell takes on the role of Miss Holly, a guidance counselor with questionable morals influenced by various indulgences.
Christina Hendricks is cast as Ms. Monet, a passionate drama teacher determined to see Strickland triumph over Campbell.
Kumail Nanjiani acts as Officer Mehar, the school’s security guard who has a strong aversion to foul language.
Dean Norris features as Richard Tyler, the disgruntled principal overseeing Roosevelt High School.
Austin Zajur plays Neil, a mischievous student attending Roosevelt High.
Dennis Haysbert assumes the role of Superintendent Johnson, responsible for managing the school district.
JoAnna Garcia Swisher portrays Maggie Campbell, Andy’s loyal and expectant wife.
Alexa Nisenson appears as Ally Campbell, the daughter of Andy and Maggie.
Kym Whitley serves as the 911 Operator.
Max Carver plays Daniel.
Charlie Carver appears as Nathaniel.
Stephnie Weir portrays Suzie.
Madison Bailey appears uncredited as a high school student.

Production

Development of Fist Fight began in December 2013 when New Line Cinema initiated the project based on a script by Van Robichaux and Evan Susser. On June 9, 2015, casting announcements revealed that Ice Cube and Charlie Day would headline the film. The production was managed by 21 Laps Entertainment with Shawn Levy, Billy Rosenberg, and Max Greenfield producing. Richie Keen was confirmed as director on July 10, with Dan Cohen joining as an additional producer. By September 2015, the main cast expanded to include Jillian Bell, Dean Norris, Tracy Morgan, JoAnna Garcia, and Dennis Haysbert, followed shortly by additions of Christina Hendricks and Kym Whitley.

Filming commenced on September 28, 2015, in Atlanta, Georgia, wrapping up on November 23, 2015.

Box office

Fist Fight earned $32.2 million domestically across the United States and Canada, alongside $8.9 million from international markets, culminating in a global total of $41.1 million.

The movie debuted in North America on February 17, 2017, competing with A Cure for Wellness and The Great Wall. Initially forecasted to generate between $15 and $20 million across 3,184 theaters, early earnings included $600,000 from Thursday night previews and $3.8 million on its opening day. These figures led to revised projections of $10 to $12 million. Ultimately, it opened with $12.2 million in ticket sales, ranking fifth at the box office.

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, Fist Fight holds an approval rating of 25% based on 134 critiques, averaging a score of 4.10 out of 10. The critical consensus describes it as having an abundance of comedic effort but suffering from ineffective humor delivery. Metacritic assigned a score of 37 out of 100 from 28 reviews, signaling generally unfavorable feedback. Audience polling by CinemaScore resulted in an average grade of "B."

Glenn Kenny from RogerEbert.com awarded it three stars out of four, remarking that it "offers some merit in storytelling." Conversely, Richard Roeper gave it no stars and voiced strong disapproval. British film critic Mark Kermode criticized it harshly as "poorly written, loudly performed, crude and vulgar... absolute rubbish."

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