Caffeinated Clint
Remember a few weeks back when MGM decided they were going to kill “Raging Bull II”, an unofficial sequel to the Robert De Niro/Martin Scorsese boxing classic that was pimping itself out as a bonafide follow-up to a title the studio owned?
And remember then how MGM stopped the film dead in it’s tracks, demanding it shut down production immediately? (They were in their right to do that because Jake La Motta, the real-life slugger De Niro played in the earlier movie, had sold his life rights to MGM. Therefore, only MGM could make another movie fixing on La Motta’s life).
Well, seems “Raging Bull II” is up again… under an all-new title.
The studio has settled with Sunset Pictures, who have issued a statement dissociating themselves from Scorsese’s bio on Jake La Motta. In addition, the film’s new title is “The Bronx Bull”, which though not as appealing, still carries significance – that was La Motta’s nickname.
Sunset says, “The parties have amicably reached a resolution of their pending litigation, pursuant to which production of a film based upon certain events in the life of Jake LaMotta will proceed under the working title The Bronx Bull. That film is not related in any way to the 1980 motion picture entitled Raging Bull, and MGM is not associated with the film in any respect. Neither party will have any further statements regarding this matter.”
“The Bronx Bull”, starring William Forsythe (“The Rock”) as ‘The Bronx Bull’, is part sequel/part prequel to the Scorsese movie, and features a stout ensemble including Paul Sorvino, Penelope Anne Miller, Juliet Landau and Alicia Witt.
