With directorPhilippe Falardeaub’sChuck(previously titledThe Bleeder) opening in theaters this weekend, I recently sat down withLiev Schreiberto talk about the making of the film. If you’re not familiar withChuck, it’s based on the true story ofChuck Wepner(played by Schreiber) the New Jersey heavyweight boxer who fought 15 rounds withMuhammad Aliand inspired toSylvester Stalloneto writeRocky. That movie’s wild success led to an ego explosion and a taste for cocaine that cost Wepner his career, his wife (Elisabeth Moss), and eventually landed him in prison. It’s a crazy story that also starsNaomi Watts,Jim Gaffigan,Michael Rapaport,Pooch Hall,Morgan SpectorandRon Perlmanas Wepner’s manager. For more onChuckwatch the trailerorread Phil Brown’s review.
During the interview Schreiber talked about why he wanted to tell Wepner’s story, memorable moments from filming which included Wepner giving him advice on how to fight a bear, how the film tells the true story warts and all, why he felt the need to get hit in the face while filming the boxing scenes, how he spoke to Sylvester Stallone prior to filming and what he learned, and a lot more.
Check out what he had to say in the player above and below is a list of what we talked about followed by some images from the film.
Liev Schreiber:
