Brian Wilson again shares 'Smile' with North American audiences
Recent Grammy-winner Brian Wilson hits the road this summer for more shows behind his critically acclaimed album "Smile."
The former Beach Boy launches the run in the Northeast in early August, and wraps things up on the West Coast in early September. Details are shown below.
At each stop, Wilson and his band will perform "Smile" in its entirety. Originally planned as the follow-up to The Beach Boys' landmark "Pet Sounds" album, "Smile" surfaced last September.
Wilson and lyricist Van Dyke Parks, who collaborated on the "Smile" sessions in 1966 and 1967, re-teamed in late 2003 after Wilson announced plans to complete the album and perform it at a series of concerts in London. The pair, along with Darian Sahanaja of Wilson's touring band, began preparing music for the performance, which led Wilson and Parks to start working on new material as well.
The process spawned the newly recorded version of "Smile," material from which made its public debut during a February 2004 concert at London's Royal Festival Hall. The original version of "Smile" was never released, but several tracks that were recorded for the album were issued on other Beach Boys albums.
LSL Productions plans to issue a DVD titled "Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of 'Smile'," a film that documents the making of the album, according to Wilson's website. A release date has not been announced.
Last month, Wilson won his first solo Grammy for the "Smile" cut "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow," which won in the Best Rock Instrumental Performance category.
"I waited 42 years for this Grammy and it was well worth the wait," Wilson said in a statement. "It represents triumph and achievement in music that I feel that I deserved, and I'm really glad I won."
Tour Itinerary
April 2005
24 - New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Jazz Festival
August 2005
9 - Boston, MA - Bank of America Pavilion
10 - Vienna, VA - Wolf Trap Filene Center
12 - Holmdel, NJ - P.N.C. Bank Arts Center
13 - Wantagh, NY - Tommy Hilfiger at Jones Beach Theater
14 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center
16 - Philadelphia, PA - Mann Center
17 - Wallingford, CT - Oakdale Theatre
18 - Montreal, Quebec - Place des Arts
23 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater
24 - Saint Louis, MO - Roberts Orpheum Theatre
25 - Kansas City, MO - Starlight Theatre
28 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre
29 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Queen Elizabeth Theatre
31 - Portland, OR - Arlene Schnitzer Hall
September 2005
1 - Jacksonville, OR - Britt Festivals @ Britt Pavillion
3 - Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre
4 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl
Def Leppard, Bryan Adams to tour minor league ballparks
Def Leppard and Bryan Adams, two acts that had enormous success in the '80s, will team this summer to co-headline a tour of minor league ballparks dubbed the "Rock 'N Roll Double-Header Tour."
The outing kicks off June 1 in Portland, OR, and will visit 26 minor league ballparks. All concerts take place on non-game days.
In each ballpark, the stage will be set up in the outfield. Fans can either bring a blanket to sit on the field or sit in the stands, according to a press release.
Def Leppard and Adams each plan to release a new album in 2005.
On May 17, Mercury/UMe will issue "Def Leppard--Rock of Ages: The Definitive Collection," a two-disc best-of album that features the new single "No Matter What," which originally was recorded by Badfinger. Two of Def Leppard's albums--"Pyromania" and "Hysteria"--have sold more than 10 million copies each in the U.S.
"Room Service," the latest album from Canada's Adams, will hit stores this spring. It already debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's European album chart. He'll also release a new book of photography this spring, dubbed "Calvin Klein--American Women."
(FYI - The Adams disc actually came out in Canada last September, 2004)
Among Adams' No. 1 singles are "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You," "Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?," "Heaven" and "All For Love" (with Rod Stewart and Sting).
Tour Itinerary
June 2005
1 - Portland, OR - PGE Park (Beavers)
3 - San Jose, CA - Municipal Stadium (Giants)
4 - Fresno, CA - Fresno Grizzlies Stadium (Grizzlies)
5 - San Bernardino, CA - Arrowhead Credit Union Park (Inland Empire 66ers)
7 - Mesa, AZ - HohoKam Park (Sidewinders)
8 - El Paso, TX - Cohen Stadium (Diablos)
10 - Oklahoma City, OK - SBC Bricktown Ballpark (RedHawks)
11 - Ft. Worth, TX - LaGrave Field (Cats)
July 2005
1 - Camden, NJ - Campbell's Field (RiverSharks)
2 - Lancaster, PA - Clippers Magazine Stadium (Barnstormers)
3 - Wappingers Falls, NY - Dutchess Stadium (Renegades)
5 - Lakewood, NJ - FirstEnergy Park (Blueclaws)
6 - Brockton, MA - Campanelli Stadium (Rox)
8 - Aberdeen, MD - Ripken Stadium (Rock Cats)
9 - Brooklyn, NY - KeySpan Park (Cyclones)
10 - Rochester, NY - Frontier Field (Red Wings)
29 - St. Paul, MN - Midway Stadium (Saints)
30 - Schaumburg, IL - Alexian Field (Flyers)
31 - Davenport, IA - John O'Donnell Stadium (Swing)
August 2005
2 - Lincoln, NE - Haymarket Park (Salt Dogs)
3 - Kansas City, KS - Community America Ballpark (T-Bones)
5 - South Bend, IN - Coveleski Stadium (Silver Hawks)
6 - Eastlake, OH - Eastlake Stadium (Captains)
7 - Charleston, WV - Appalachian Power Park (Alley Cats)
9 - Dayton, OH - Fifth Third Field (Dragons)
10 - Lansing, MI - Oldsmobile Park (Lugnuts)
Weezer To Play 'Make Believe'
Weezer is eyeing a May release for its fifth studio album, "Make Believe." As previously reported, the Geffen set will be preceded in the coming weeks by the single "Beverly Hills," a video for which was shot two weekends ago at the Playboy mansion in Los Angeles.
According to the band's official Web site, the Marcos Siega-directed clip should "start shaping up" by "the end of the weekend."
"The song speculates about living the life of movers and shakers, but concludes that there's no way to cross over from the 'real world' to the 'fantasy world' (even if one who is 'normal' has indeed become 'famous')," the site says. "But for a few minutes the idea is tossed about, taken to the level of longing for a life of extreme celebrity."
At deadline, Weezer's only confirmed U.S. show is April 30 at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. Seven European dates are on tap in June.
Here are Weezer's tour dates:
April 30: Indio, Calif. (Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival)
June 3: Nurburgring, Germany (Rock am Ring Festival)
June 4: Nuremberg, Germany (Rock im Park Festival)
June 5: Hamburg (Grosse Freheit)
June 10: Nickelsdorf, Austria (Nova Rock Festival)
June 13: Birmingham, England (Academy)
June 14: London (Brixton Academy)
June 17: Glasgow (Carling Academy)
NEW CD RELEASES FOR MARCH 8, 2005
50 Foot Wave (w/Kristin Hersh) Golden Ocean (ThrowingMusic/BMG)
Above This Fire In Perspective (Life Sentence)
Ak-momo Return to N.Y. (Parasol)
All Rattle and Dust Cold Hard City Blues (Lumberjack)
Alove for Enemies The Harvest (Lumberjack)
Alston Voodoo for Fun and Profit (Repossession)
The Alter Boys The Exotic Sounds of (Lumberjack)
The Amazing Pilots Hello, My Captor (Undertow)
Architects Keys to the Building (Anodyne)
Nic Armstrong The Greatest White Liar (New West)
Ash Meltdown (w/bonus DVD) (Warner Bros.)
Asphalt Jungle Enjoy This Trip (Hypnotic)
Black Label Society (w/Zakk Wylde) Mafia (Artemis)
Black Tie Dynasty This Stays Between Us EP (Idol Records)
Andrea Bocelli Massenet: Werther (two CDs) (Universal Classics)
Boom Bip Blue Eyed in the Red Room (Warp)
Lynn Bryant Woman Enough (Infinity Music)
Eddie Bush Eddie Bush (Infinity Music)
Brad Byrd The Ever Changing Picture (Free Agency)
The Capitol Years Let Them Drink (Burn & Shiver)
Deanna Carter The Story of My Life (Vanguard)
Civet Massacre (Disaster)
Combichrist Everybody Hates You (Metropolis)
Chris Cotton I Watched the Devil Die (Yellow Dog)
John Davis (of Superdrag) John Davis (Rambler)
Del Cielo Us vs. Them (Lovitt)
Des_Ark Loose Lips Sink Ships (Lumberjack)
Desperate Measure Never Enough Time (Youngblood)
Devil in a Woodpile In Your Lonesome Town (Bloodshot)
Diary of Dreams MenschFeind (Metropolis)
John Digweed Fabric 20 (mix CD) (Studio Distribution)
The Disease Dyslexic Experts in Reverse Psychology (Alone)
DJ Hell NY Muscle (w/Suicide's Alan Vega, James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem, and Kings of Convenience's Erlend Oye; w/bonus track and video, cameos by P. Diddy and Princess Superstar) (Gigolo)
DJ Revolution The ABC's of High Fidelity (Studio Distribution)
The Elanors A Year to Demonstare (Parasol)
Tommy Emmanuel Endless Road (Favored Nations)
The Evens (Ian MacKaye of Fugazi) The Evens (Dischord)
Fascinating Aida Fascinating Aida (First Night)
Pedro Luis Ferrer Rústico (Escondida)
Fog 10th Avenue Freakout (Warp)
Forever Changed Need to Feel Alive (Floodgate)
French Toast (James Canty of Make Up and Nation of Ulysses) In a Cave (Dischord)
Full Scale Full Scale (Columbia)
Reeves Gabrels (David Bowie guitarist) Rockonica (Favored Nations)
Jay Geils Plays Jazz (covers of Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Roland Kirk and more) (Stony Plain)
Go It Alone Vancouver Gold EP (Straight On)
Gratitude (ex-Far frontman Jonah Matranga) Gratitude (Atlantic)
Guapo Black Oni (Ipecac)
The Gun Shys The Gun Shys (Aeronaut)
Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion (daughter of Arlo/granddaughter of Woody) Exploration (featuring members of the Jayhawks and Son Volt; includes cover of Pete Seeger's "Dr. King" w/Seeger's grandson Tao Rodriguez) (New West)
Steve Hackett Genesis Revisited (new renditions of classic Genesis tunes) (Snapper)
The Holy Ghost Welcome to Ignore Us (w/members of Bright Eyes' band) (Clearly)
Hugh Hopper Band Meccano Pelorus (Cuneiform)
Hot Club of San Francisco Postcards from Gypsyland (produced by Norah Jones guitarist Adam Levy) (Lost Wax Music)
Hot Karl The Great Escape (guests MC Serch, Will.I.Am and 9th Wonder) (Headless Heroes)
Glenn Hughes (of Deep Purple) Soulfully Live in the City of Angels (two CDs/DVD combo) (Deadline/Cleopatra)
Ian Hunter Strings Attached (two CDs; DVD same day) (Sanctuary)
Icarus Witch Roses on White Lace (Cleopatra)
Instrumental Icons The Music of Lil Jon (instrumental versions of hip-hop hits) (Koch)
Into the Moat The Design (Metal Blade)
Kaddisfly Buy Our Intention; We'll Buy You a Unicorn (Hopeless)
KAOS (ex-Terranova) Hello Stranger (Studio Distribution)
Kasabian Kasabian (RCA)
The Kills No Wow (RCA)
Kimone The Mill (Lumberjack)
Kings of Tomorrow Trouble (Studio Distribution)
Jimmy LaFave Blue Nightfall (Red House)
Lights Out Get Out (Youngblood)
Living Legends Classic (Basement/Legendary Music)
Make Move The Evidence EP (Straight On)
Mando Diao Hurricane Bar (Mute)
Milton Mapes Blacklight Trap (Undertow)
Danny McGuinness 809 (Heatshield)
The Merediths A Closed Universe EP (Debauchery)
Amy Miles Noble Hatch (Redeye Distribution)
Marcus Miller Silver Rain (Koch)
Thee Missouri In Voodoorama (Blue Disguise)
Monade (Stereolab's Laetitia Sadier) A Few Steps More (Beggars Banquet)
Craig Morgan My Kind of Livin' (w/enhanced video) (BBR)
Morrison-Williams (members of Perfect Stranger) Morrison-Williams (Palo Duro)
Nitty Player's Paradise (Universal Motown)
Our Turn Catch Your Breath (Youngblood)
Over It Silverstrand (Lobster)
Paint It Black Paradise (Jade Tree)
Julius Papp Heartbeat, Vol. 2 (mix CD) (Studio Distribution)
Luciano Pavarotti Verdi (Universal Classics)
Pigeon John Sings the Blues! (Basement)
Richard Pinhas East/West (Cuneiform)
Pit er Pat Shakey (Thrill Jockey)
Pitch Black This Is Modern Sound (Revelation)
Sam Prekop Who's Your New Professor (guest John McEntire of Tortoise) (Thrill Jockey)
Nelson Rangell My American Songbook (Koch)
Rat Cat Hogan We're Bicoastal! (Scrocki)
Ray J Raydiation (Sanctuary)
Duke Robillard and Ronnie Earl The Duke Meets the Earl (originals and covers of T-Bone Walker, Magic Sam and B.B. King) (Stony Plain)
RZA & Keb Darge Kings of Funk (two CDs; mixes of new and classic funk from Sly & the Family Stone, Ohio Players and more) (Studio Distribution)
Scars of Tomorrow Design Your Fate (Lumberjack)
Secret Garden Earthsongs (Universal Classics)
Set Your Goals Set Your Goals EP (Straight On)
Shapes The Big Picture (two CDs) (Burning Down the House)
Sarah Sharp Fourth Person (Redeye Distribution)
Sides of the North The Incurable Romantic (Word of Mouth)
Slipper (ex-members of Loop Guru) When Hot Dogs Fly (Elsewhen/Voiceprint)
Soilwork Stabbing the Drama (Nuclear Blast)
Stars Set Yourself on Fire (Arts & Crafts)
Thugged Out Na What The EP (Blood Rush)
Unearth The Oncoming Storm (2004 release w/two new bonus tracks) (Metal Blade)
Usher Rhythm City Volume 1: Caught Up (CD/DVD combo; includes mini-movie, live interview w/Lionel Richie, behind-the-scenes footage and more; CD includes three new songs) (J Records)
Louie Vega Dance Ritual (mix CD w/Thievery Corporation, Masters at Work and more) (Studio Distribution)
Rhonda Vincent & the Rage Ragin' Live (DVD same day) (Rounder)
Kristine W. The Wonder of It All (Remixes) (Tommy Boy)
When Tigers Fight When Tigers Fight (Lumberjack)
Kenny White symphony in sixteen bars (Wildflower)
Winter Solstice The Fall of Rome (w/Tim Lambesis of As I Lay Dying on "To the Nines") (Metal Blade)
Yellow Second Altitude (Floodgate)
Zaperoko 3 (Libertad)
VA Acoustic Tribute to Tim McGraw (Tribute Sounds)
VA Code of the Streets (w/Mobb Deep, M.O.P., the Game and more) (Fastlife)
VA Dancehall Delinquents (dancehall reggae compilation; DVD same day) (Sanctuary)
VA Dopegame: The Compilation (w/Keak da Sneak, Bone Crusher, Lil Flip Cormega, E 40 and more) (Rah)
VA Hip-Hop Tribute to Metallica (Tribute Sounds)
VA Hitmakers: The String Quartet Tribute to the Matrix (Vitamin)
VA Latin Empire (hip-hop compilation) (Independent Music)
VA Love Song: The Piano Tribute to the Cure (Vitamin)
VA Pickin' On Tracy Byrd (CMH)
VA Return to Glory Vol. 1 (CD/DVD combo; includes film plus soundtrack w/Duke Ellington, Jazz Crusaders and more) (True Life Jazz)
VA Revive the Soul (two CDs; electronica compilation w/the Postal Service, Kid Koala, Lali Puna and more) (Revive the Soul)
VA Smooth Sax Tribute to Alicia Keys (Tribute Sounds)
VA Smooth Sax Tribute to Shania Twain (Tribute Sounds)
VA Soul Piano Tribute to Anita Baker (Tribute Sounds)
VA The Guitar Tribute to Boston (Tribute Sounds)
VA The String Quartet Tribute to Rush's 2112 (Vitamin)
VA The String Quartet Tribute to Switchfoot (Vitamin)
VA Violently: The String Quartet Tribute to Björk (Vitamin)
OST Face (w/new songs from Naughty By Nature, Bahamadia, the Pharcyde's Tre Hardson and more; score by Leonard Hubbard of the Roots) (Studio Distribution)
OST Melinda and Melinda (Woody Allen film w/Will Ferrell) (Milan)
DVD Bob Dylan World Tours 1966-1974: Through the Camera of Barry Feinstein (documetary w/rare photo gallery and exclusive interviews; soundtrack by tribute band Highway 61 Revisited) (Music Video Distributors)
DVD Danu One Night Stand (Shanachie)
DVD Ford Blues Band In Concert - Ohne Filter (Music Video Distributors)
DVD Beth Hart Live at Paradiso (2004 Amsterdam concert) (Koch)
DVD Jin The Making of a Rap Star (Image Entertainment)
DVD Leatherface Boat in the Smoke (live in London, 2004; bonus band interview) (Music Video Distributors)
DVD Mike + the Mechanics + Paul Carrack Live... (2004 London concert) (Eagle Rock)
DVD Alanis Morrissette Soundstage Presents (Koch Vision)
DVD Pepper Live (bonus features include all the band's music videos, short film and one previously unreleased track, "Green Hell") (Volcom Entertainment)
DVD Usher The Glamorous Life (documentary) (Chrome Dreams)
DVD Steve Winwood Soundstage Presents (Koch Vision)
The rush to DVD
With the domination of DVD frequently exceeding box office, there is an accelerated rush to release content on our favorite little discs. The most aggressive delay between theatrical release and DVD release is a mere three months. It also occurred to me that since there have been problems previously with the duplication and sale of pirated DVDs made from screeners distributed to Academy voters, that the studios might be inclined to release even earlier.
I thought it might be interesting to have a quick look at when this year's Academy Award nominated films (excluding documentaries) are released to DVD. So without further ado . . .
Title
DVD Release Date
Studio
A Very Long Engagement
Unknown
Warner
Being Julia
3/22/05
Sony
Closer
3/29/05
Sony
Finding Neverland
3/22/05
Miramax
Hotel Rwanda
4/12/05
MGM
House Of Flying Daggers
4/19/05
Sony
Kinsey
5/17/05
Fox
Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events
4/26/05
Paramount
Million Dollar Baby
Unknown
Warner
Sideways
4/5/05
Fox
The Aviator
5/24/05
Warner/Miramax
The Incredibles
3/15/05
Buena Vista
The Phantom Of The Opera
5/3/05
Warner
Vera Drake
3/29/05
Warner
Star Trek Insurrection is coming in June
Paramount Home Entertainment has announced a special edition of the ninth Trek film Star Trek Insurrection for release in June.
From the beginning of the Federation, the Prime Directive was clear: no Starfleet expedition may interfere with the natural development of other civilizations. But now Picard is confronted with orders that undermine that decree. If he obeys, 600 peaceful residents of Ba'ku will be forcibly removed from their remarkable world, all for the reportedly greater good of millions who will benefit from Ba'ku's Fountain of Youth-like powers. If he disobeys, he will risk his Starship, his career, his life. But for Picard, there's really only one choice. He must rebel against Starfleet...and lead the insurrection to preserve Paradise.
The two disc set will follow in the footsteps of its predecessors as Star Trek fans make their DVD collections almost complete. The video is presented in anamorphic widescreen and is accompanied by both Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 sound. A text commentary is included, although there is no word on an audio commentary. Twelve featurettes: It Takes a Village, Location, Location, Location, The Art of Insurrection, Anatomy of a Stunt, The Story of Insurrection, Making Insurrection, Director's Notebook, Westmore's Aliens, Star Trek's Beautiful Alien Women, Shuttle Chase, The Drones and The Duck Blind are included along with seven much talked about deleted scenes including Ru'afo's Facelift, Working Lunch, Flirting, The Kiss, Status: Precarious, Disabling the Injector and an alternate ending, galleries of storyboards and production photos, teasers and trailers, an EPK featurette and Borg 3-D ads.
The DVD will arrive on June 7th with a suggested retail price yet to be announced.
IPod Battery Life May Get a Boost - [General]
Apple Computer may soon be able to demolish criticisms of the battery life of its IPod family, thanks to PortalPlayer. PortalPlayer has begun shipping a new processor, the PP5022 System-on-chip (SoC). This is the next generation of the processor IPods use today--and needs a lot less power to run. PortalPlayer claims devices using the new processor could benefit from three times their current battery life.
PortalPlayer's vice president of sales and marketing Michael Maia says: "Our goal with the PP5022 was to offer a solution that balances lowest operating power while continuing to increase system performance. "We achieved this goal and will continue to deliver the lowest operational power during playback and encoding of rich media content-the PP5022 is our most innovative SoC to date, resulting in best-in-class battery life in hard drive jukebox systems."
Additional features include integrated USB 2.0 support--to the extent that designers could enable devices built using the processor to be compatible with peripherals, such as digital cameras. The company also introduced its first processor for the flash-based music player market, the PP5024 System-in-Package. This fully-integrated solution is designed to meet the need for high-capacity flash memory-based personal media players. It combines the media processor, peripheral input/output (I/O) controllers, and analogue audio and power management functions on one processor. "This enables high-performance audio jukebox features such as subscription music services and database caching support in a low-power flash platform," the company explains.
Shannon Elizabeth to Split From Husband
LOS ANGELES - Shannon Elizabeth, who starred in "American Pie," and husband Joseph Reitman have decided to split, People magazine reported Monday.
"The couple will remain friends," spokeswoman Nicole King told the magazine. The two continue to share a Los Angeles home, she said.
Elizabeth, 31, and Reitman, 36, also an actor, married in June 2002 in a ceremony on a beach in Mexico, People said. They have no children.
Reitman has appeared in films starring Elizabeth, including "American Pie 2" and "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back."
The couple co-founded Animal Avengers, a nonprofit animal rescue organization.
Ed McMahon Hospitalized After Fall in Home
LOS ANGELES - Ed McMahon, Johnny Carson's former sidekick, was hospitalized after a fall in his Beverly Hills home left him with a mild concussion and a gash in his head that required stitches, his publicist said Monday.
"Mr. McMahon's prognosis is excellent and he is expected to be released from the hospital in the next few days," spokeswoman Susan DuBow said. The name of the Los Angeles area hospital wasn't disclosed.
McMahon, who turned 82 on Sunday, tripped and fell Friday afternoon, DuBow said.
He was taken to a hospital where he received several stitches in his forehead, she said, adding that he had suffered a mild concussion.
McMahon is best known as Carson's sidekick on "The Tonight Show." Carson, who retired in 1992, died Jan. 23 of emphysema at age 79.
McMahon was also co-host with Dick Clark of the "Bloopers" shows and appeared year after year on Jerry Lewis' Labor Day telethon.
Springsteen Spiffs Up 'Dust' for Spring
NEW YORK (Billboard) - Bruce Springsteen's new album, "Devils & Dust," will be released in DualDisc format on April 26.
In addition to the standard audio tracks on one side, the DVD side will sport acoustic renditions of the title track, "Long Time Comin'," "Reno," All I'm Thinkin' About" and "Matamoras Banks," filmed last month in New Jersey.
In addition, Springsteen has added his extensive introductions to the tracks. The DVD also boasts a 5.1 Surround Sound mix of the album.
"Devils & Dust" will be available as a deluxe edition, with exclusive photographs and what the label describes as "unique, song-specific elements" for each of the 12 tracks. This version also will be issued as a DualDisc.
The new album follows the format of Springsteen's '90s studio work, in which he eschewed the presence of the full E Street Band and was instead surrounded by a rotating cast of collaborators. The core band features only Springsteen on guitar, producer Brendan O'Brien on bass and Steve Jordan (Steely Dan, Keith Richards) on drums.
An acoustic tour is in the works, but no dates have yet been announced.
Swank Was Third Choice for 'Baby'
Actress Hilary Swank has Sandra Bullock and Ashley Judd to thank for her Best Actress Oscar for Million Dollar Baby - because the role was refused by both actresses.
The movie's producer Albert S. Ruddy's first choice for the part of a tragic female boxer was Bullock, who turned down the part when she was told she could not pick the director - Ruddy next approached Judd, whose salary demands would have busted the budget.
After Ruddy finally settled on Swank, Bullock's agent called him and said she would do the picture after all, but, "Al just said, 'Too late,'" a source told website Pagesix.Com.