How One Arizonan Beat The Odds, And Made It To Hollywood

Arizona and Hollywood go together better than Peanut Butter and Jelly. Many of Los Angeles' biggest stars have roots in the Valley, and if they don't they loved to spend time there.

While the Grand Canyon State constantly feeds the filmmaking capitol of the world new talent, it's not often we get a movie about one of our own. That's finally changing.

Who is Anthony Robles?

Calling Mesa home, Anthony Robles is one of the most inspiring athletes in Arizona's history. Born with only one leg for reasons unknown, Robles decided against a prosthetic due to the lack of a stump to attach to.

This didn't stop him from chasing his dreams however, and he began wrestling in eight grade, showing an affinity for the sport. Flash forward to 2007, and he was wrestling at the collegiate level at Arizona State. In the four years he spent at ASU, Robles gained three All-American Honors, three PAC-12 Championships, and one National Championship, the latter coming after a 36-0 undefeated season.

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"Unstoppable": The Anthony Robles Story

Robles' story may sound like something that came out of the movies, and that's exactly what Ben Affleck and Matt Damon saw. So, their production company, Artists Equity, got to work. The film follows Robles journey to ASU, showcasing how only the best find success in Tempe, and how Robles smashed the expectations thrust upon him.

Releasing on Amazon Prime on January 16th, 2025, the film will star Emmy-Winner Jharrel Jerome as Robles and Jennifer Lopez as his mother.

[Axios]