The Wrestler (2008 film)

Infobox Film
name = The Wrestler


image_size =
caption =
director = Darren Aronofsky
producer =
writer = Robert D. Siegel
narrator =
starring = Mickey Rourke
Ernest Miller
music =
cinematography =
editing =
distributor = Fox Searchlight Pictures (USA)
released = December 19, 2008
runtime =
country = United States
language = English
budget =
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
amg_id = 1:421997
imdb_id = 1125849

"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., [http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/09/08/fox-searchlight-wins-the-wrestler/] [http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2008/08/c2648.html] and will be released on December 19, 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 an aging 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.

Music

A new Bruce Springsteen song of the same title plays in an acoustic arrangement over the film's closing credits. [cite news | author= | url=http://www.springsteenlyrics.com/lyrics/t/thewrestler.php | title=Springsteenlyrics.com]

Cast

*Mickey Rourke as Randy "Ram" Robinson
*Ernest Miller as "The Ayatollah" [cite news | author= | url=http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/01-21-2008/0004739908&EDATE= | title=Fylmar Productions' Client, Pro Wrestling Superstar Ernest 'The Cat' Miller is Cast Opposite Mickey Rourke in Darren Aronofsky's Upcoming Film 'The Wrestler'! | publisher=Fylmar Productions | date=2008-01-21 | accessdate=2008-01-22 ]
*Marisa Tomei as Cassidy / Pam
*Todd Barry [cite news | author=Carrie Brownstein | url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/monitormix/2008/01/the_todd_barry_interview_1.html | title=The Todd Barry Interview | publisher=National Public Radio | date=2008-01-22 | accessdate=2008-01-27 ]
*Evan Rachel Wood as Stephanie, Randy "Ram" Robinson's estranged daughter

Also appearing in the film are actual professional wrestlers; The Blue Meanie, Necro Butcher, Nick Berk, DJ Hyde, Whacks, Perry Saturn, Kid USA, R-Truth, Romeo Roselli, and Zandig. [cite news | author= | url=http://www.wrestling-edge.com/wwenews.php?subaction=showfull&id=1202592242&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1& | title=ECW Original And Lots Of Other Stars In New Movie | publisher=Wrestling-edge.com | date=2008-01-22 | accessdate=2008-01-27 ] .

Production

"The Wrestler" was scripted by 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.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 ] 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, Nicolas Cage pulled out of the Movie because Darren wanted Mickey 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." [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 ] Production began in January 2008, [cite news | author=Michael Fleming | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117975773.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | title=Mickey Rourke wires 'Wrestler' | publisher=Variety | date=2007-11-10 | accessdate=2008-01-08 ] with filming taking place in New York and New Jersey.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 | date=2008-02-11 | accessdate=2008-02-12 ] Scenes were also shot at New Alhambra Arena in Philadelphia. [http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2008/02/14/there-will-be-blood-and-weed-whackers] 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. [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 ]

References

External links

* [http://www.slashfilm.com/2007/12/12/exclusive-script-review-darren-aronofskys-the-wrestler/ Script review] at /FILM
*imdb title|id=1125849|title=The Wrestler
*amg title|id=1:421997|title=The Wrestler