Finally, after changing rounds (pun?) through actors, writers and directors, this thing got made. And now we have trailer to witness Christian Bale set to get his first nom at the Oscars for Best supporting. Or I'll quit (never attempt to be apart of) show-business. He's long over due.
Anyway, hit the jump button to read more of my babbling crap and then watch the trailer.
Matt Damon was originally set for "Irish" Micky Ward's half brother, Dickie Eklund, when Darren Aronofsky was set to direct it. Then he dropped out. Then Brad Pitt stepped in, who get's notoriously nervous if he doesn't feel he's gonna be big (and sexy) enough in the film. That's real shit. So of course, he left too. Then Aronofsky left with his arms up about it, not wishing to make another fighting movie just coming off The Wrestler. O. Russell, two time director for Wahlberg (Three Kings, I heart Huckabees), stepped into the chair for him, after months of watching highlights on TV with him of fights, giving his takes and notes on what the film should be. Some of Wahlberg's best work has been with David O. Russell, the notoriously angry prick who get's actor's and crew members steaming. But I still love his work. Wahlberg himself, was training for nearly FOUR-count-'em-FOUR YEARS, for his part of Ward. He is the soul reason the film survived through countless of debacles, of which money and studio confidence was a major problem.
Wahlberg spent several years waking before dawn to work on his physical conditioning, recalled thinking, “If I don’t get this movie done the way I want to, I’m going to use this training on somebody in a bad way.”
But Paramount eventually warmed up — few in Hollywood have forgotten that Warner Brothers let “Slumdog Millionaire” and its best-picture Oscar slip away to Fox Searchlight — and has now made what all parties agree is a promise to push “The Fighter” wholeheartedly, with the help of significant advertising on televised sports events at the height of football season. Bale himself, went to extremes, supposedly going on an "apples only" diet, you can see the effects that here. Look at that crack-ass sucka! Actually, he's playing an ex-crack-cocaine addict, who, after going toe-to-toe with Sugar Ray Leonard (with a loss by decision) early in his career, steps in to help train his brother. Via, Wikipedia, Eklund hasn't been living the easy-ass life since then.
Eklund's fighting career ended in 1985, likely due to his addiction to crack cocaine. He was documented by HBO's America Undercover for a period of 18 months. The documentary, named High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell, followed Eklund and two other crack addicts in Lowell as their lives spiraled out of control. It ended with Eklund receiving a 10-15 year sentence for breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony, kidnapping, masked armed robbery, and several other crimes. Many of Dickie Eklund's attempts at trying to quit crack for his son have failed. Eklund's troubles with violence and drugs continued. He was arrested for crack possession in 2006 and again in 2009 for domestic assault and attempted murder. Although the victim of the 2009 offense, Eklund's girlfriend, recanted her story, the case will still be prosecuted.
Ooooffff, tough. Ya know what, I hate to say it, but these are the kind roles that get actor's real excited about signing on. Their juicy, with a lot of emotion, drama, black humor and other shit involved in crafting a performance that is sure to blow people's socks off. And from the trailer, it looks to me that he will. I'm sure people will push Adam's undoubtedly for a best supporting, which it looks like she'll deserve (again!). Hopefully Melissa Leo get's one. Wahlberg. . . Eh. Whatev. We'll see about the script, director and picture noms. I've got a few hunches.
Now, without further adieu. . .
Alrighy then. This just debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival, along with a whole slue of other's hoping to get bought and distributed in time for Oscar season. Look's like got an awards contender on our hands.Hopefully this one deserves it's acclaim, and not because it's cashing in on our war-time troubles. Fags.
Munki out.
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