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Chuck (film)

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Chuck
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPhilippe Falardeau
Written by
Starring
CinematographyNicolas Bolduc
Edited byRichard Comeau
Music byCorey Allen Jackson
Production
companies
Distributed byIFC Films
Release dates
  • September 2, 2016 (2016-09-02) (Venice)
  • May 5, 2017 (2017-05-05) (United States)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Chuck (The Bleeder in the UK and Ireland) is a 2016 American biographical sports drama film directed by Philippe Falardeau and written by Jeff Feuerzeig, Jerry Stahl, Michael Cristofer and Liev Schreiber, who also stars in the title role. The cast includes Elisabeth Moss, Ron Perlman, Naomi Watts, Jim Gaffigan, Michael Rapaport, Pooch Hall, Morgan Spector, and Jason Jones. The film depicts the life of heavyweight boxer Chuck Wepner and his 1975 title fight with the heavyweight champion, Muhammad Ali, which inspired Sylvester Stallone's character and screenplay for the 1976 film Rocky.

Principal photography began on October 26, 2015 in Suffern, New York. Chuck received its world premiere at the 2016 Venice Film Festival on September 2, 2016. It was released May 5, 2017, by IFC Films.

Synopsis

In 1975, heavyweight boxer Chuck Wepner (Liev Schreiber) challenges the heavyweight champion, Muhammad Ali (Pooch Hall), for the world title.[1]

Cast

Production

Schreiber, who had been attached with the project for five years, portrays Chuck Wepner.

On May 10, 2011, it was announced that Jeff Feuerzeig would direct the boxing drama The Bleeder based on the script he co-wrote with Jerry Stahl, about a true story of the heavyweight boxer Chuck Wepner.[5] Michael Tollin and Carl Hampe were attached as producers, while Linda Zander's Maxar Pictures was attached to finance the film. Christina Hendricks was previously cast in the film to play one of the lead roles.[5] In October 2015, Liev Schreiber was confirmed to play Wepner, who always wanted to portray the role, and had been attached with the project for the last five years, and Naomi Watts was cast to play his third wife Linda Wepner.[2] Schreiber would also produce the film along with Tollin, Hampe, Christa Campbell, and Lati Grobman, with banners Mandalay Sports Media and Campbell-Grobman Films.[2] On October 22, 2015, Elisabeth Moss was cast in the film to play his second wife, Phyllis Wepner, who was with him when Wepner fought Muhammad Ali.[1]

On October 30, 2015, additional cast was announced, including Jim Gaffigan as John Stoehr, Wepner's loyal friend; Michael Rapaport as Wepner's estranged brother; Pooch Hall as boxer Ali, whose 1975 fight with Wepner led to Wepner's sudden fame; and Morgan Spector as actor-screenwriter Sylvester Stallone, who wrote Rocky soon after the 1975 fight. Wepner claimed he had inspired that film's title character Rocky Balboa but Stallone has never confirmed it.[3] On November 11, 2015, Ron Perlman signed on to play Al Braverman, Wepner's manager and trainer who guided him to the title fight with Ali.[4] On November 11, 2015, Remstar Films acquired the Canadian distribution rights to the film.[6]

Principal photography on the film began on October 26, 2015 in Suffern, New York,[7] where some scenes were shot at the Lafayette Theatre.[8] Filming ended on December 4, 2015.[9]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on September 2, 2016.[10][11] It went onto screen at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2016.[12] In September 2016, IFC Films and Showtime Networks acquired U.S distribution rights to the film.[13] It will also screen at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2017.[14] It was released on May 5, 2017.[15]

Critical response

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 79%, based on 70 reviews, with an average rating of 6.8/10.[16] On Metacritic the film has a score of 71 out of 100 score, based on 8 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[17]

References

  1. ^ a b c Hipes, Patrick (October 22, 2015). "Elisabeth Moss Joins 'The Bleeder's Corner With Schreiber & Watts". deadline.com. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d Fleming Jr, Mike (October 7, 2015). "'Ray Donovan's Liev Schreiber, Naomi Watts To Star In Chuck Wepner Underdog Ring Saga 'The Bleeder'". deadline.com. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e Pedersen, Erik (October 30, 2015). "'The Bleeder' Coagulates Cast With Jim Gaffigan, Michael Rapaport, Pooch Hall & Morgan Spector". deadline.com. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  4. ^ a b Fleming Jr, Mike (November 11, 2015). "Ron Perlman Joins 'The Bleeder'". deadline.com. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Lodderhose, Diana (May 10, 2011). "Watts, Schreiber to star in 'Bleeder'". variety.com. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  6. ^ A. Lincoln, Ross (November 11, 2015). "'Headshot' Global Rights Nabbed By Nikkatsu, Vertical & XYZ; Remstar Lands Canadian Rights To 'The Bleeder' – AFM". deadline.com. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  7. ^ "On the Set for 10/30/15: Keanu Reeves Starts on John Wick Sequel, Seth Rogen and Zac Efron Wrap Up Neighbors 2". ssninsider.com. October 30, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  8. ^ "First look at Liev Schreiber and Elisabeth Moss on the set of 'The Bleeder'". onlocationvacations.com. October 31, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  9. ^ "On the Set for 12/4/15: Gal Gadot Grabs Her Lasso for 'Wonder Woman', Brad Pitt Wraps 'War Machine', 'Resident Evil' Team Finish Final Chapter". SSN Insider. December 4, 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  10. ^ Ritman, Alex (July 28, 2016). "Venice Film Festival Unveils Lineup for 73rd Edition". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  11. ^ "The Bleeder". Venice Film Festival. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  12. ^ "The Bleeder". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  13. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (September 14, 2016). "IFC & Showtime KO Deal For Liev Schreiber-Starrer 'The Bleeder' – Toronto". Deadline.com. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  14. ^ Cox, Gordon (March 8, 2017). "Emma Watson and Tom Hanks' 'The Circle' to Premiere at 2017 Tribeca Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  15. ^ "Chuck". IFC Films. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  16. ^ "The Bleeder (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  17. ^ "The Bleeder reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
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