Billy Bob Thornton signs on to boxing drama

Billy Bob Thornton is set to star in the boxing drama Pound for Pound, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The project is based on a novel by F.X. Toole, the author of the short-story collection behind Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-winning Million Dollar Baby.Thornton will play a depressed, retired boxer whose life intersects with a young Latino fighter (a role that is still being cast). Ron Shelton (Bull Durham) will write and direct. The production is expected to being filming early next year.

Boxing movies seem to always be Oscar Contenders so I can see Billy Bob Thorton getting a nomination, of course I should see the movie before making predictions.