says director Frank Marshall of his documentary Rachel, breathe It was pulled from ESPN2 shortly before its Sunday night broadcast due to a dispute with the network over the rights to the project.
“I am sorry to inform you that RACHEL, BREATHE, will not be premiering on ESPN2 today,” Marshall posted on X on Sunday. “After several days of negotiations that should have been very simple and not about money, but about rights, ESPN’s lawyers stopped talking to us an hour before the broadcast and said, ‘Sign it now or we’ll pull the offer.’ I’m so disappointed for Rachel, John, and the entire team who spent two years making this film about hope, love, and friendship. We’re still really excited for the day this documentary reaches the world, it’s simply not tonight. And just like Rachel, we’re standing still and the minute you know where and when the premiere will take place, you’ll hear it. From me.
I’m sorry to report that RACHEL, BREATHE will not premiere on ESPN2 today. After several days of negotiations that were supposed to be very simple and were not about money, but about rights, ESPN’s lawyers stopped talking to us an hour before the broadcast and said, “Sign it now or else we…
— Frank Marshall (@LeDoctor) April 20, 2026
Marshall directed and was a producer on the doc. According to a summary on the Kennedy/Marshall company website: “Rachel, breathe is an intimate exploration of the transformative power of running told through the miraculous story of marathon runner Rachel Foster. Five months after waking up from a coma from which no one expected her to emerge, Rachel achieved the unthinkable and completed the Boston Marathon in 2023. Despite the triumph of that moment and the feeling that she was on the path to fully recovering her life as it was, new challenges arise. The film follows Rachel, who is now preparing to run the 2025 Boston Marathon to redeem herself, proving that although her reality has changed, her essence remains the same. Combining Rachel’s journey of running Boston in the past and present, the film explores themes of loss, love, determination, friendship, redemption, and transcendence.
According to Marshall’s previous
Rachel, Breathe tells the miraculous story of marathon runner Rachel Foster. It premieres Sunday, April 19 at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN2, with the encore airing on Monday, April 20 at PM ET on ESPN 2, (immediately following coverage of the 130th Boston Marathon.)espn
@DICKS… pic.twitter.com/2xeUjiyMoT— Frank Marshall (@LeDoctor) April 18, 2026
Marshall produced with Ali Parker, Tony Rosenthal, and Joanna Forcher, the latter of whom is also credited as the writer of the documentary.
Hollywood Reporter ESPN has reached out for comment.
