There are many sports movies, and actors often have to dedicate themselves to intense training for these. Russell Crowe also had to do this for the film Cinderella Man from 2005. For the film, he not only trained intensively, but he also got injured. However, he significantly shortened the healing process for the film. He still feels that 20 years later.
What kind of film is Cinderella Man? In Germany, the film is titled The Comeback
, and it is based on a true story. During the Great Depression in the 1930s, the boxer Jim Braddock, played by Russell Crowe, loses quite a bit. His boxing license was revoked due to his behavior, and his family is struggling to make ends meet.
One day, however, he fills in for another boxer and unexpectedly wins. He then commits himself to training, and a great comeback begins. For the film, Russell Crowe had to train incredibly hard and even fight. In a recent interview, he reveals how intense everything was.
Sylvester Stallone also wanted to really fight for a film: Sylvester Stallone challenged his co-star to punch him hard – ended up in the emergency room
To this day, he has lasting effects from Cinderella Man
How hard did Russell Crowe train for the film? In a recent interview with Joe Rogan (via YouTube), the actor also talked about the film Cinderella Man and how hard he had trained for it. For 6 months, he spent his days mainly training.
- In the mornings, he went running
- Then there was yoga for stretching
- Before lunch, there was boxing training
- Then another boxing training, followed by weightlifting
- After the 2nd boxing training, he had a 90-minute break
- After dinner, he had to go running again
The training paid off. He was in top shape. According to his own statements, he weighed at the beginning of the film as much as he did in high school, even though he was already 40 at that time. He is said to have also prepared with real fights, claiming that a real fight can even be seen in the film when he fights against Troy.
However, he overdid it in one fight. He trained with a Canadian Olympic boxer. This boxer caught him on the elbow and caused a subluxation, a partial dislocation of his shoulder. At that time, Crowe was allegedly training so hard that his shoulder popped out and back in, but he broke a bone in the process.
He had surgery and was supposed to take 3.5 months off for rehabilitation. However, he returned after only 3 weeks because he wanted to shoot the film. This caused problems that still exist today. The doctor warned him of severe arthritis in later age, which Crowe confirms today.
Why is the film called Cinderella Man? In the interview, it is explained that almost every athlete’s story is a Cinderella story. These films show how an underdog works its way up to something greater despite all odds.
Just like in Rocky or indeed in Cinderella Man. And as you can see from Russell Crowe, the actors behind the film also work hard on their roles. The king of preparation is probably Christian Bale: “My own mortality stares me in the face” – Batman actor repeatedly gains or loses 40 kg for roles, can’t do it anymore
