Could Jake LaMotta and Rocky Balboa be set to meet each other in the boxing ring?
Production Weekly has tweeted that the actors behind those two iconic roles, Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone, are rumored to be joining boxing dramedy “Grudge Match,” which is being developed by Tim Kelleher at Warner Bros. Announced in May of this year, the project is being scripted by Kelleher himself and was noted to be aiming for a tone similar to Clint Eastwood‘s “Space Cowboys,” but with Kelleher’s only feature writing credit thus far being the 1996 film “First Kid” starring Sinbad, we’re not exactly installed with confidence. Seniors-seeking-redemption films typically do well at the box office though (see: 2009’s “Old Dogs“), so don’t surprised if things come together. That said, the rumors of Stallone and De Niro seem like studio dream casting and we’d be surprised if it actually worked out though stranger things have happened.
“Grudge Match” follows the story of two retired boxers, Billy “The Kid” McGuigan and Henry “Razor” Sharp, lifelong bitter rivals who are coaxed out of retirement and into the ring for one final grudge match 50 years after their last title fight. Bill Gerber (“Gran Torino“) is producing alongside Mark Steven Johnson (“Ghost Rider“), who probably stands as a contender to helm as well. No word yet on if/when production could begin.