Release Date:     Friday, June 3rd, 2005

Cinderella Man Trailer Online
 canmag.com
 March 25, 2005
 
 Cinderella Man- Full Trailer

Official Site: CinderellaManMovie.com
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG-13

On June 13, 1935, Max Baer defended the heavyweight championship belt he'd won from Primo Carnera the year before on June 14, 1934, against Jim Braddock. Braddock, an average fighter from New York wasn't a great challenger for Baer. He had a horrible record that included 20 losses. Not surprisingly, the odds were 10 to 1 in favor of Max Baer.

To everyone's surprise, Braddock took charge of the fight as Max Baer appeared to be clowning around in the ring, seemingly uninterested in winning the bout.

The fight went the distance and Braddock got the decision ... and the belt.

Two years later, he defended his title against Joe Louis. This fight was held at Yankee Stadium on June 22, 1937. Some 50,000 fans rushed to fill the stadium. Braddock, who was not the favorite when he won the title two years before, wasn't the favorite this time around either.

In the first round, Joe Louis went down when Braddock connected with a solid right to the head.  Louis didn't take long to rise back up and take back the fight. He out-boxed Braddock who made it to the eighth round when Joe Louis finished him with a KO.  Joe Louis was now the Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the world.

[courtesy: Cheehuahua]

Synopsis:  Russell Crowe stars in the story inspired by the life of legendary athlete Jim Braddock, a once-promising light heavyweight boxer forced into retirement after a string of losses in the ring.  As the nation enters the darkest years of the Great Depression, Braddock accepts a string of dead-end jobs to support his wife, Mae (Renee Zellweger), and their children, while never totally abandoning his dream of boxing again.  Thanks to a last-minute cancellation, Braddock finds himself back in the ring against the second-ranked world contender – and to everyone’s amazement, Braddock wins in the third round.  Despite being pounds lighter than his opponents and repeated injuries to his hands, Braddock continues to fight against challengers and win.  Carrying on his shoulders the hopes and dreams of the disenfranchised, Braddock, dubbed the “Cinderella Man”, faces his toughest challenger in Max Baer (Craig Bierko), the heavyweight champion of the world, renowned for having killed two men in the ring.  Braddock - not so much a great boxer as a great man who boxed – climbed into the ring seeking nothing more than to provide for his wife and children.  His commitment to them inspired him to championship, elevating the family man with a simple cause to the level of legend.

Cinderella Man production notes

                                              
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Official Trailers

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Streamed link of a song from the soundtrack:

Cinderella Man Soundtrack Clip

Renée Zellweger Interview:
By Martyn Palmer
malaya.com.ph
August 30, 2005

Renee captivated by ‘Cinderella Man’s’ simplicity

'Cinderella' turns into a premiere
usatoday.com
May 25, 2005

At Monday's premiere for new boxing drama Cinderella Man, the sparring started early on the red carpet as its press-shy stars, Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger, dodged personal questions from the media.

But newlywed Zellweger, wearing a red dress by Carolina Herrera (who designed Zellweger's wedding gown), couldn't ignore the many fans who had gathered at the Universal CityWalk to offer their best wishes on her marriage. As one group of girls shouted "Congratulations, Renee," a young male admirer waved a sign that read "Marry me, Renee. Forget Kenny," a reference to Zellweger's husband of two weeks, country star Kenny Chesney, who is now on tour.

Struggling to keep the focus on her film, Zellweger batted her eyes and purred, "Hmmm, I don't know," or "I'll have to put a little thought into that" when questioning veered too close to Chesney. But when asked whether there were any similarities between her and Crowe's working-class characters and her own relationship, Zellweger said: "I would hope. It's a pretty inspiring tale; a beautiful love story."

In the film, which opens June 3, Crowe plays Jim Braddock, a real-life, down-on-his-luck, Depression-era boxer poised for a comeback. As Braddock, Crowe is seen teaching his movie kids how to box. Crowe said his real-life son, 17-month-old Charlie, is still a little too young to master a right hook but has displayed an early aptitude for "catch ball."

"And he can dance!" piped in Crowe's wife, Danielle Spencer.

The premiere was a fundraiser for Best Buddies, an organization founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver to improve the lives of the mentally disabled. The fundraising tie-in accounted for the high turnout of TV Land faces, including Linda Gray (Dallas), Cinderella director Ron Howard's Happy Days mom, Marion Ross, and The Brady Bunch's Maureen McCormick. One TV sitcom alum not on the guest list: Max Baer Jr., who played Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies and is the real-life son of the movie's villain, pro boxer Max Baer Sr. Actor Craig Bierko portrays the late Baer Sr. in the film as a vile, cold-blooded brute.

To maintain the animosity between their characters, Crowe left Bierko off the invite list to his 40th birthday party last April, which was attended by the rest of the cast. "Russell works in a very specific way," Bierko says. "He wanted to meet me in the boxing ring — and that was it. But now," Bierko joked, "we're traveling together like (Bob) Newhart and (Don) Rickles."

Ross back in ring after 18-month layoff
northpeel.com
December 3, 2004

Stepping into the boxing ring probably never felt better for Brampton's Troy Ross.

After 18 months of training and not really sure when he was going to get another chance to fight for real the two-time Olympian was back in the ring at a professional show recently in Greensboro North Carolina. He improved his professional record to 9-0 as he scored a three-round TKO over Robert Marsh of Greensboro in a 180-pound bout.

Ross knocked down Marsh, who has a record of 9-20, in the second round and then finished him off in the third round.

Ross, 29 is happy to be back.

While still living in Brampton Ross is now training under the direction of his cousin Egerton Marcus, a 1988 Olympic silver medallist, at EMBA the Egerton Marcus Boxing Academy at King and Dufferin in Toronto.

Ross had hoped to have a lot more fights then he has had when he turned professional after the 2000 Olympics. Although he lost his first bout at the Sydney Olympics Ross was a sensation at the 1996 Atlanta Games where he reached the quarterfinals.

Besides his training Ross has kept busy with Ross Wear, his clothing design business. He also took about six months to make his movie debut.

Ross has a role in the movie Cinderella Man expected to be released early next year.

The movie stars Academy Award winner Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger and is directed by Ron Howard. Although most of the movie was filmed in Toronto, Ross, along with fellow boxers Mark Simmons and Arthur Binkowski spent about five weeks in Australia.

Ross who plays John Henry Lewis in the movie, boxes with Crowe, who plays Jim Braddock. He enjoys acting and would like to do more.

Ross also liked working with Crowe.

Crowe explains brawl with bodyguard
ninemsn.com.au
Aug 29 2004

Russell Crowe has written a letter to a newspaper explaining why he bit his bodyguard and close friend Mark `Spud' Caroll during a brawl on a Toronto movie set.

In the letter to the Sunday Herald Sun, Crowe explained the pair's brawl after a day's shooting on his latest movie, The Cinderella Man, was sparked by a misunderstanding and said they made up the next day.

Crowe said he had been talking to a young woman, who was an extra on the film and a friend of both men, at post-shoot drinks.

Former Australian test rugby league player Caroll had come over and told him what he thought people might be imagining the pair's conversation was about.

"I thought he was accusing me specifically of something and I took offence to it," Crowe said in the letter."

Carroll also wrote to the newspaper about the brawl and denied reports Crowe had bitten his ear.

"That never happened, simple as that," he said.

"He did take a nip at my chest - I was trying to smother him at the time, so I can understand the move."

Crowe said the pair had not hurt each other seriously but "wore badges of dishonour for a few days".

They had made up the next day, "called each other a few ripe names, had a hug and got on with the job," he said.

At the time of the incident it was reported Caroll had told Crowe to "go home to your wife and kids".

But in his letter, Crowe said his wife, Danielle Spencer, did not have a problem with him having a "drink and a chat with the people I'm working with at the end of the week".
 

Youngster shines among stars
canada.com
August 19, 2004

Ask seven-year-old Patrick Louis who his co-stars are in The Cinderella Man and he's liable to say "Connor and Ariel."

That much is true. But in addition to Connor Price and Ariel Walker, the film also stars Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger, two of Hollywood's biggest stars.

Oh, Patrick likes them too, says dad Brad, but Patrick doesn't think those actors are any more important than the ones his own age.

That innocent nonchalance is one reason why Patrick won a role in Ron Howard's latest film. Based on a true story, The Cinderella Man is about Depression-era boxer Jim Braddock, who defeated Max Baer to win the heavyweight championship of the world in 1935.

Behind the scenes, some 900 child actors staged their own prize fight -- to be the ones chosen to play Crowe's and Zellweger's three children in the film, which is due out in March.

Patrick auditioned by videotape in November 2003, then in-person in January, then again via video. He was flown to Toronto for the final audition, with Crowe and Zellweger present along with Howard and producer Brian Grazer. He didn't know he was supposed to be nervous.

"This was just another audition for him. He had no idea who these people were," said Brad,".

Just as well. The fact that Ron Howard won the best director Oscar and Crowe the best actor Oscar for A Beautiful Mind -- or that Zellweger is a two-time Academy Award nominee -- would have most adults reeling.

Patrick's parents are Saskatchewan natives and graduates of the University of Saskatchewan. His mom Leeanna got her B.Ed. in 1992 and Brad his BA in 1992 and B.Ed. the next year. After teaching in several towns around Saskatchewan, they relocated to the Vancouver area in 1996 and now have a supporting cast of three children, all of whom act.

Crowe film shoots winter in August
The London Free Press
August 6, 2004

A city street in Toronto was transformed into a snow-covered laneway from the Depression era yesterday as Russell Crowe's Cinderella Man continued shooting. Director Ron Howard could be seen guiding his star as producer Brian Grazer stood watch on Victoria Street, just a block away from bustling Yonge Street. Vintage cars lined the street, and actors and extras dressed in 1930s-style clothing strolled along the sidewalks. Cinderella Man is expected to hit theatres next spring.

Connor Price as Jay Braddock
imdb.com
July 10, 2004

Connor Price, the 8-year old actor with experience beyond his years, who has done numerous television and radio commercials and has appeared in a number of film and television projects, most recently shooting alongside Bruce Greenwood in the feature film "The Republic of Love", is being cast as Jay Braddock, son of Jim Braddock.

Connor's television career includes two Movies of the Week; "Sins of the Father" (2002), a Robert Dornhelm production starring Richard Jenkins and Tom Sizemore, and "Crossed Over", a CBS/Alliance Atlantis production, playing opposite Diane Keaton as her son. He also appeared in the Alliance Atlantis television series "In A Hearbeat" and PAX-TV series "Doc". Connor Price is a dual citizen Canada & USA.

RUSSELL SHEDS THE POUNDS TO GET FIGHTING FIT
Apr 26 2004
mirror.co.uk
By Alexandra Williams

From Gladiator to out-of-condition blob and back again - this is Russell Crowe looking lean and mean in his next role.

Oscar-winner Crowe, 40, has clearly been working hard in the gym to play 1930s US boxer and folk hero James J Braddock in The Cinderella Man.

There's not a spare ounce on his trim frame, a far cry from his tubby, bearded look of March 2002.

Crowe worked with Angelo Dundee, Muhammad Ali's former trainer, in preparation to play Braddock, who fought his way out of poverty to eventually take the world heavyweight crown from Max Baer in 1935.

The film's producer, Brian Grazer, said: "I've never known any actor who dedicates himself to a part with more intensity than Russell."

The film's release was put back to December after 5ft 11in Crowe dislocated a shoulder during a fight scene.

The Cinderella Man is being filmed in Toronto, Canada, and Renee Zellweger is co-star. Members of Braddock's family are extras. He died in 1974.

Tussle Crowe looks fit!
webindia123.com
April 26, 2004

London - Movie hunk Russell Crowe is now-a-days flaunting a lean physique that he has developed for his role as the boxing champ, Jim Braddock, in 'Cinderella Man'.
According to The Sun, the 'Gladiator' star had a grueling session in the ring to done a boxer look.

"I've lost 51/2lbs in three days," he was quoted as saying.

Crowe, who is quite popular for taking up brawls, should feel at home with this role. In 2002, he pinned a BBC boss to the wall at the BAFTA awards. (ANI)

Thomas Newman scores 'Cinderella Man'
musicfromthemovies.com
April 14, 2004

Previous reports on the musical accompaniment in Cinderella Man, Ron Howard's upcoming 1930's drama starring Russell Crowe as legendary boxer Jim Braddock, have excluded an original score in favour of a song-based soundtrack. But now a score composer has been hired to provide original instrumental music to the film after all - and it's not Ron Howard's usual composer, James Horner, who is onboard. Instead, the film will be scored by Thomas Newman, according to the Gorfaine-Schwartz Agency.

Universal Pictures has moved the premiere of the film from December this year to 18th March next year. The film tells the story about folk hero Jim Braddock, a heavy-weight boxing champion who became legendary in USA during the depression years. Braddock is portrayed by Russell Crowe, with Renée Zellweger playing Braddock's wife.

Federal lawmakers urge Universal to film 'Cinderella Man' in U.S.
Associated Press
Apr. 02, 2004

WASHINGTON - More than two dozen members of Congress want Universal Pictures to film its upcoming "Cinderella Man" in the United States instead of Canada.

The lawmakers sent a letter to Motion Picture Association of America head Jack Valenti on Friday asking him to call on Universal to reconsider its decision to shoot the movie outside the country.

"While we applaud the effort by Universal Studios to tell the triumphant story of James J. Braddock in 'Cinderella Man,' one of our nation's greatest boxing heroes, we are deeply concerned by the outsourcing of its filming to Canada," said the letter released by Rep. Diane E. Watson, D-Los Angeles, chairwoman of the Congressional Entertainment Caucus, and signed by 27 other members of Congress.

"For our economy and the hundreds of U.S. jobs affected by the production of 'Cinderella Man,' we strongly urge you to call on Universal to reconsider," the letter said.

Runaway production has been a topic of concern for lawmakers but recent efforts to address the issue legislatively have stalled.

An MPAA spokeswoman said the agency can't comment because it has not yet received the letter.

"Cinderella Man" is planned for December release starring Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger in the story of Braddock, a Depression-era boxer. Ron Howard is the director.

A spokeswoman for Universal Pictures did not immediately return a call for comment.

Crowe Talks Cinderella Man
"It was one of those great moments in history."
filmforce.ign.com

March 25, 2004 - Fight News dug up a quote that Russell Crowe gave the Adelaide Advertiser about his next project, Cinderella Man. The film is a biopic of Depression-era boxer Jim Braddock.

"Braddock was the underdog but Americans took him to their hearts because they saw what he was doing as their struggle," said Crowe. "It was one of those great moments in history where the whole of the working class had a hero who fulfilled what they asked him to do."

Fight News reminds us that "Braddock became the world heavyweight champion by beating Max Baer in 1935. Braddock subsequently lost to Joe Louis in 1937. In a career lasting from 1926 until 1938, Braddock fought 86 times. He won 46 of his fights, with 26 knockouts."

In related news, The Toronto Star reports that Crowe has finally arrived in Toronto in preparation for filming. The actor injured his shoulder during training, which required a delay in filming and, subsequently, the pushing back of Cinderella Man's release from late 2004 until March 18, 2005.

Ron Howard Gives Cinderella Man Update
Los Angeles Daily News
Tuesday, March 16, 2004

Director Ron Howard talked to the Los Angeles Daily News about Russell Crowe's dislocated shoulder that caused a delay in the start of filming on Cinderella Man.

"If anything, the physiotherapist said he has to worry about holding (Crowe) back. He's impressing everyone with his dedication." Howard points out that boxing legend Jim Braddock is a role Crowe has "always wanted to play. It's a shame he had the injury, but the guy he's playing got injured all the time. He says that dealing with this injury is helping him understand the heart and the spirit of the guy he's playing." He adds, "That's a good way to rationalize it, isn't it?"

The trade adds that rehearsals begin Monday, with an April 19 production start planned. Universal is aiming for a March 18, 2005 release date.

Crowe's "Cinderella" Missing Oscar Ball
by Josh Grossberg
Mar 12, 2004, 2:15 PM PT

He could've been a contender.

With Cinderella Man out of next year's awards picture, the crop of contenders just got a little smaller.

Thursday, February 26, 2004
palmbeachpost.com

Angelo Dundee recently returned from Australia, where he advised actor Russell Crowe on a film about 1930s boxer Jim Braddock, known as the "Cinderella Man."

Boxing's high media profile:
February 25, 2004
fightnews.com

Oscar-winner Russell Crowe will play former heavyweight champion Jim Braddock in a film that takes its title from the fighter's nickname, "The Cinderella Man." Ron Howard will direct the film, which will co-star Oscar-nominee Renee Zellweger as Braddock's wife. The real Braddock became the world heavyweight champion by beating Max Baer in 1935. Braddock subsequently lost to Joe Louis in 1937. In a career lasting from 1926 until 1938, Braddock fought 86 times. He won 46 of his fights, with 26 knockouts. The film seems certain to perpetuate the boxing movie tradition of feel-good stories. "Braddock was the underdog but Americans took him to their hearts because they saw what he was doing as their struggle," the Australian Crowe told the Adelaide Advertiser. "It was one of those great moments in history where the whole of the working class had a hero who fulfilled what they asked him to do."

A Cinderella Man Production Update
[comingsoon.net]
Wednesday, February 11, 2004

While Russell Crowe is recovering his injured shoulder, 'Michael Stevens' from Sneak Peek has sent in an update on what's happening for the Cinderella Man production. Universal Pictures is still aiming for a December 17 release.

Wardrobe fittings have been taking place all week for the 300 background performers (union and non-union) handpicked by director Ron Howard for the upcoming spring "Cinderella Man" shoot. A total of 7,000 performers showed up for the background 'go-sees' beginning in December. All the booked extras have been told NOT to cut their hair as production will be buzzing 1930's haircuts, starting April 29. "Cinderella Man" begins shooting in Toronto April 1.

In the film, Crowe stars as the legendary athlete, a once-promising light heavyweight boxer forced into retirement after a string of losses in the ring. As the nation enters the darkest years of the Great Depression, Braddock accepts a string of dead-end jobs to support his wife, Mae (Renée Zellweger), and their children, while never totally abandoning his dream of boxing again. Carrying on his shoulders the hopes and dreams of the disenfranchised masses, Braddock, dubbed the "Cinderella Man," faces his toughest challenger in Max Baer (Craig Bierko), the heavyweight champion of the world, renowned for having killed two men in the ring.

Russell Crowe injured on movie set
Friday, January 30, 2004

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Russell Crowe dislocated his shoulder in Sydney, Australia, while training for a boxing scene in his upcoming film "Cinderella Man," Universal Pictures said Friday.

He'll immediately undergo arthroscopic repair surgery followed by physical therapy, the studio added. That should delay the start of filming by about one month, from early March to April.

The movie, about Depression-era boxer and folk hero Jim Braddock, co-stars Renee Zellweger and will be directed by Ron Howard, who previously collaborated with Crowe on the Oscar-winning "A Beautiful Mind."

"I've never known any actor who dedicates himself to a part with more intensity than Russell," stated Brian Grazer, producer of "Cinderella Man." "Russell has been training with some of the foremost boxing instructors in the world, and that commitment is what led to the injury to his shoulder."

Crowe, who has had physically demanding roles in such films as "Gladiator" and "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World," injured the same shoulder while training for the upcoming Jodie Foster-directed film "Flora Plum." He eventually had to drop out of that role.

The previous repair to the shoulder remains intact, Universal said, and the new injury is on a different area of the shoulder.

Wednesday 7th January 2004

Word reaches us that Paul Giamatti has been added to the cast of Cinderella Man alongside Russell Crowe, Renee Zellwegger and Craig Bierko. It is thought that Ron Howard will start directing the project in Toronto on the 1st March.

Cinderella Men
When Meg Ryan's boyfriends attack!
[filmforce.ign.com]
December 04, 2003
 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, actor Craig Bierko (The Thirteenth Floor, The Long Kiss Goodnight) is poised to co-star in director Ron Howard's next film, Cinderella Man. The Universal Pictures/Miramax Films co-venture is toplined by Russell Crowe. Renee Zellweger has long been attached as the female lead but her name hasn't appeared in the recent trade reports about this project.

Howard's Imagine Entertainment will produce the period biopic along with his fellow '70s sitcom star-turned-filmmaker, Penny Marshall.

Akiva Goldsman, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of Howard's A Beautiful Mind, penned the script.

THR says Cinderella Man "tells the tale of real-life heavyweight boxing champ Jim Braddock (Crowe). During the 1930s, Braddock was an aging boxer who made a comeback while trying to provide for his family during the Great Depression. Bierko will play Max Baer, Braddock's toughest challenger, a world heavyweight champion renowned for having killed two men in the ring."

Crowe goes on wagon for his art 
11/3/2003
[irishexaminer.com]


Russell Crowe has sworn off alcohol until March 1, when he begins filming Cinderella Man, the story of heavyweight boxing champion James Braddock.

“I’m not drinking because I’m in training for the movie – not for any other reason,” he told journalists in Los Angeles.

Crowe, who is soon to be seen in the seafaring epic Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World, is currently learning boxing choreography for the Depression Era story, which co-stars Renee Zellweger as his wife.

Director Ron Howard, who previously worked with Crowe on the Oscar-winning A Beautiful Mind, said in an interview: “Russell has wanted to do this movie for years because of the family element.

"Braddock was completely driven and there finally came a point where every move he made was going to impact the survival of his family.”

ET ONLINE
August 20, 2003

RUSSELL CROWE and RON HOWARD's "beautiful" movie reunion will have to wait until after Crowe's first child is born early next year. The two Oscar® winners were set to begin work on 'Cinderella Man' in January, but that's when Crowe's wife, DANIELLE SPENCER, is due and the actor doesn't want to be working when the baby is born. Filming will begin March 1 instead. RENÉE ZELLWEGER is on-board to co-star in the boxing drama.

 

Zellweger's "Cinderella" Story
by Josh Grossberg
Jul 9, 2003, 11:30 AM PT
[eonline.com]

The shoe fits for Renée Zellweger. And then some.

The actress, who razzle-dazzled her way to an Oscar nod in last year's Best Picture winner Chicago, is trading in her pumps for a plum part opposite Russell Crowe in Cinderella Man, studio officials have confirmed!

Universal Pictures and Miramax are joining forces to reportedly pay the actress a whopping $21 million for her participation in both Cinderella and the already in-the-works sequel to her 2001 hit Bridget Jones's Diary, which the studios are co financing, according to Daily Variety. As part of the deal, Universal will supervise domestic distribution, while Miramax will handle all overseas releases.

In Cinderella Man, the Texas-born Zellweger will duke it out as the wife of boxer Jim Braddock (Crowe), who becomes a legend after winning a vicious 15-round match against heavyweight champion Max Baer in 1935 during the throes of the Great Depression.

The film reunites Crowe with A Beautiful Mind helmer Ron Howard, producer Brian Grazer and Oscar-winning scribe Akiva Goldsman (who rewrote a draft of the script from Cliff Hollingsworth and Charlie Mitchell) and is set to shoot next spring.

Zellweger will first shoot Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, the much-ballyhooed sequel from Working Title Films, that will reteam her with costars Hugh Grant and Colin Firth.

That comedy, adapted from Helen Fielding's follow-up novel of the same name, will be directed by Beeban Kidron (Swept By the Sea) and is slated to start filming in October.

In between Jones and Cinderella, Zellweger is scheduled to star as drugged-out rock icon Janis Joplin for Paramount Pictures.

Meanwhile, audiences will next be able to catch Zellweger on the big screen opposite Jude Law and Nicole Kidman in the Civil War drama Cold Mountain, due out this Christmas.