With the Rocky franchise making a comeback, it seems natural for someone to tell the real-life story behind the iconic character. That’s what Chuck purports to do, wearing its period setting and endearing bruiser like a badge of honor. You loved Rocky so you’ll love Chuck, or so the filmmakers and the character himself seems to think.
It’s a role Liev Schreiber has wanted to play for years, and he produces here as well as stars. But Chuck is a different man than Rocky, and his rise didn’t have a clean payoff. The silly and weird places his life really went is what appealed to Schreiber, and that’s what is played up in this trailer. Yeah, Chuck once boxed Muhammad Ali, but he still handles a parent-teacher conference like a bull in a china shop.
Schreiber is backed up by a stellar cast, including Naomi Watts, Ron Perlman, Elisabeth Moss, and Jim Gaffigan. That kind of group can sell the ups and downs this story is bound to entail, all while sticking to the decidedly light tone that the trailer promises.
Clean arcs like those in Rocky are broadly appealing, but the real, complicated version of events is often just as interesting. That’s what Chuck hopes we remember.
Chuck is directed by Philippe Falardeau and stars Liev Schreiber, Naomi Watts, and Elisabeth Moss. It will be released in the U.S. on May 5th, 2017. For international release dates, click here.
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