The Wrestler (2008 film): Difference between revisions
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==Production== |
==Production== |
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''The Wrestler'' was scripted by former [[The Onion]] writer Robert Siegel and entered development at director [[Darren Aronofsky]]'s Protozoa Pictures. Actor [[Nicolas Cage]] entered negotiations in October 2007 to star in the film's lead role as Randy "Ram" Robinson, a former wrestler.<ref name=moves>{{cite news | author=Gregg Goldstein | url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3iafd724b50c2b4b1121448ac83ca016df | title=Cage makes some moves on 'Wrestler' | publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=[[2007-10-12]] | accessdate=2008-01-08 }}</ref> The following month, Cage left the project after attending a [[Ring of Honor]] show in [[Manhattan, New York]], and Mickey Rourke replaced the actor in the lead role. According to [[Darren Aronofsky]], Cage pulled out of the |
''The Wrestler'' was scripted by former [[The Onion]] writer Robert Siegel and entered development at director [[Darren Aronofsky]]'s Protozoa Pictures. Actor [[Nicolas Cage]] entered negotiations in October 2007 to star in the film's lead role as Randy "Ram" Robinson, a former wrestler.<ref name=moves>{{cite news | author=Gregg Goldstein | url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3iafd724b50c2b4b1121448ac83ca016df | title=Cage makes some moves on 'Wrestler' | publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=[[2007-10-12]] | accessdate=2008-01-08 }}</ref> The following month, Cage left the project after attending a [[Ring of Honor]] show in [[Manhattan, New York]], and Mickey Rourke replaced the actor in the lead role. According to [[Darren Aronofsky]], Cage pulled out of the movie because Darren wanted Rourke as the lead character. Darren stated that Cage was "a complete gentleman, and he understood that my heart was with Mickey and he stepped aside. I have so much respect for Nic Cage as an actor and I think it really could have worked with Nic but… you know, Nic was incredibly supportive of Mickey and he is old friends with Mickey and really wanted to help with this opportunity, so he pulled himself out of the race." <ref>{{cite news | author=Peter Sciretta | url=http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/09/10/interview-darren-aronofsky-part-1/ | title=Interview: Darren Aronofsky | publisher=[[slashfilm.com]] | date=[[2008-10-09]] | accessdate=2008-24-09 }}</ref> Production began in January 2008,<ref>{{cite news | author=Michael Fleming | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117975773.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | title=Mickey Rourke wires 'Wrestler' | publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=[[2007-11-10]] | accessdate=2008-01-08 }}</ref> with filming taking place in New York and New Jersey.<ref name=tomei>{{cite news | author=Tatiana Siegel | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117980749.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | title=Tomei joins Aronofsky's 'Wrestler' | publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=[[2008-02-11]] | accessdate=2008-02-12 }}</ref> Scenes were also shot at [[Alhambra Arena]] in Philadelphia.<ref>http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2008/02/14/there-will-be-blood-and-weed-whackers</ref> [[Afa Anoa'i]], a former [[professional wrestler]], was hired to train Rourke for his role. Anoai brought his two main trainers, [[Jon Trosky]] and Tom Farra to work with Rourke for eight weeks. Both trainers also have parts in the movie.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://wrestling.insidepulse.com/articles/72758/2007/12/28/afa-to-train-mickey-rourke-for-wrestling-movie-role.html | title=Afa to Train Mickey Rourke for Wrestling Movie Role | publisher=Pulse Wrestling | date=[[2007-12-28]] | accessdate=2008-01-08 }}</ref> |
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==Music== |
==Music== |
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Revision as of 15:15, 9 December 2008
| The Wrestler | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Darren Aronofsky |
| Written by | Robert D. Siegel |
| Starring | Mickey Rourke Marisa Tomei Ernest Miller Evan Rachel Wood |
| Distributed by | Fox Searchlight |
Release dates | United States: December 17, 2008 (limited) January 16, 2009 (wide) Australia: January 15, 2009 United Kingdom: January 16, 2009 |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Wrestler is an upcoming film directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Mickey Rourke, Ernest Miller, Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood. Production began in January 2008. The film premiered at the 2008 Venice Film Festival and was a winner of the Golden Lion Award for Best Film. Fox Searchlight has acquired rights to distribute the film in the U.S.,[1][2] and will be released in a limited capacity on December 17, 2008.
Premise
Randy "Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) is a professional wrestler from the 1980s who is forced to retire after a heart attack threatens to kill him the next time he wrestles. He takes a job at a deli, attempts to form a relationship with a stripper (Marisa Tomei) and does his best to reconcile with his estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood). However, he is drawn to the prospect of a rematch with his old wrestling nemesis the Ayatollah (Ernest Miller), even though the fight may cost him his life.[3]
Cast
- Mickey Rourke as Randy "Ram" Robinson
- Ernest Miller as "The Ayatollah"[4]
- Marisa Tomei as Cassidy / Pam [5]
- Evan Rachel Wood as Stephanie Robinson
- Todd Barry as Wayne[6]
Also appearing in the film are actual professional wrestlers: The Blue Meanie, Necro Butcher, Nick Berk, DJ Hyde, Whacks, Perry Saturn, Kid USA, Ron Killings, Romeo Roselli and John Zandig.[7]
Production
The Wrestler was scripted by former The Onion writer Robert Siegel and entered development at director Darren Aronofsky's Protozoa Pictures. Actor Nicolas Cage entered negotiations in October 2007 to star in the film's lead role as Randy "Ram" Robinson, a former wrestler.[3] The following month, Cage left the project after attending a Ring of Honor show in Manhattan, New York, and Mickey Rourke replaced the actor in the lead role. According to Darren Aronofsky, Cage pulled out of the movie because Darren wanted Rourke as the lead character. Darren stated that Cage was "a complete gentleman, and he understood that my heart was with Mickey and he stepped aside. I have so much respect for Nic Cage as an actor and I think it really could have worked with Nic but… you know, Nic was incredibly supportive of Mickey and he is old friends with Mickey and really wanted to help with this opportunity, so he pulled himself out of the race." [8] Production began in January 2008,[9] with filming taking place in New York and New Jersey.[5] Scenes were also shot at Alhambra Arena in Philadelphia.[10] Afa Anoa'i, a former professional wrestler, was hired to train Rourke for his role. Anoai brought his two main trainers, Jon Trosky and Tom Farra to work with Rourke for eight weeks. Both trainers also have parts in the movie.[11]
Music
Clint Mansell, the composer for Aronofsky's previous films, π, Requiem for a Dream, and The Fountain, reprised his role as composer for The Wrestler. A new Bruce Springsteen song, also titled "The Wrestler", plays in an acoustic arrangement over the film's closing credits.[12]
References
- ^ http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/09/08/fox-searchlight-wins-the-wrestler/
- ^ http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2008/08/c2648.html
- ^ a b Gregg Goldstein (2007-10-12). "Cage makes some moves on 'Wrestler'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Fylmar Productions' Client, Pro Wrestling Superstar Ernest 'The Cat' Miller is Cast Opposite Mickey Rourke in Darren Aronofsky's Upcoming Film 'The Wrestler'!". Fylmar Productions. 2008-01-21. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Tatiana Siegel (2008-02-11). "Tomei joins Aronofsky's 'Wrestler'". Variety. Retrieved 2008-02-12.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Carrie Brownstein (2008-01-22). "The Todd Barry Interview". National Public Radio. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "ECW Original And Lots Of Other Stars In New Movie". Wrestling-edge.com. 2008-01-22. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Peter Sciretta (2008-10-09). "Interview: Darren Aronofsky". slashfilm.com. Retrieved 2008-24-09.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ Michael Fleming (2007-11-10). "Mickey Rourke wires 'Wrestler'". Variety. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2008/02/14/there-will-be-blood-and-weed-whackers
- ^ "Afa to Train Mickey Rourke for Wrestling Movie Role". Pulse Wrestling. 2007-12-28. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Springsteenlyrics.com".