Wednesday, May 11, 2011

A biopic is in the works of the boxer who inspired Sylvester Stallone to write Rocky?

Indeed it is, according to Variety:

Naomi Watts, Liev Schreiber and Christina Hendricks are set to star in boxing drama "The Bleeder," helmed by Jeff Feuerzeig.

Pic, which Ashok Amritraj's Hyde Park Intl. is shopping to buyers in Cannes this week, is based on the true story of former New Jersey heavyweight boxer and womanizer Chuck Wepner who boxed 15 rounds with Muhammad Ali and inspired Sylvester Stallone to pen "Rocky."

Feuerzeig, who won the 2005 Sundance documentary directing award for "The Devil and Daniel Johnston," co-penned the script with Jerry Stahl.

Mike Tollin and Carl Hampe are producing, with Amritraj and Matty Beckerman serving as exec producers.

Pic is being financed by Linda Zander's Maxar Pictures which was advised in the deal by Philip Fier of Focus Advisory Services, who will also serve as exec producers.

Hyde Park's sales slate includes Sony's "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance 3D," toplining Nicolas Cage; spy thriller "The Double," starring Richard Gere and Topher Grace; Jason Statham starrer "Echelon"; and Paul Rudd starrer "Our Idiot Brother."

-Joey's Two Cents: Could this be Schreiber's big Oscar role? Perhaps...thoughts?

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