(Cover) - EN Movies - Shawn Levy watched the Rocky film series for inspiration before making Real Steel.
The Canadian-American director is currently promoting the movie, which stars Hugh Jackman as struggling boxing promoter Charlie Kenton.
The science fiction film is set in the year 2020, where robots have replaced humans in the boxing ring.
Shawn is a fan of underdog sports movies, and watched Sylvester Stallone starring in the Rocky film series before undertaking his newest project.
“I didn’t go into it, thinking of paying homage to one particular movie. I love sports movies and I always have, certainly the Rocky movies. One and two especially. But even the pulpier, slightly crappier ones like three and four – I love them too! I re-watched all of them when I was preparing this movie. It still works for me,” he told Cover Media.
“So in that regard, I really do believe that a well-made, engaging underdog sports movie, can be as compelling at kid age and adult age. The goal was to make a movie that would appeal on both of those levels. We’re not saying robots are taking over or robots are in the service industry, we’re saying this sport has evolved.”
Hugh stars alongside Dakota Goyo in Real Steel.
The Australian star was appreciative of Shawn’s natural ability to work with youngsters, as it made filming on set really comfortable.
“One of the revelations of the movie, I’m sure you’ll agree is Dakota. He’s phenomenal in the part and so great to work with, I really love the boy, such a great kid, a great actor and I’m so happy for him that his first movie was with Shawn because I’ve never seen anyone work with kids like Shawn,” he gushed. “When you’re 11 and you step up to a big film, there’s 200 people on set, this is a big film. And he finished this film, I know, forever different, forever the better version of himself because of Shawn.
“Normally it’s a responsibility I’d have to take on way more.”
Real Steel will be released in theatres on October 14.
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