Billy Bob Thornton to Star in Boxing Pic from Writer of Million Dollar Baby
So you liked Clint Eastwood’s Million Dollar Baby, but thought it was a little too much of a downer? Well then here’s a movie for you. Billy Bob Thornton is in talks to star in Pound for Pound, an adaptation of another novel by F.X. Toole, who also wrote Rope Burns: Stories from the Corner, the book that served as the basis for Million Dollar Baby. Pound for Pound was published posthumously based on a manuscript that he had written when he died in 2002.
Here’s the good news: Paul Haggis isn’t involved in the film, which is being financed independently. Ron Shelton (Bull Durham, White Men Can’t Jump, Play It to the Bone) will write the screenplay and direct. The story revolves around a retired boxer whose grandson is killed in a car accident, and a teenage Latino fighter who is struggling to overcome hardships in his life. Producers are quick to note that this is a “dark story but with a life-affirming, hopeful ending”. Gee, thanks for spoiling it. Either way, the retired boxer sounds like a great role for Thornton, who hasn’t done anything all that memorable for a few years now. Actually, what was the last good Billy Bob performance anyway?
Comments (5)
I don’t know about you, but I like BBT’s comedys.
Posted by Kasper F. Nielsen on August 21st, 2009F.X. Toole? Isn’t that Michael Bay’s stage name?
Posted by Deven Science on August 21st, 2009I don’t think I’ve seen a decent Thornton movie since Bad Santa. Although he was quite good in the Alamo.
On Deadly Ground still remains his best film though
Posted by Hanoi_Xan on August 21st, 2009Hey! Is that Eric Cartman?
Posted by Baychuk on August 22nd, 2009Fuck Billy.
Posted by jaime on August 22nd, 2009Leave a Reply