The words "Ron Shelton" and "sports pic" go together like strawberries and cream, so it's always a good day when we hear that he's planning to make another one - say, a boxing film called Pound for Pound. And he's got Billy Bob Thornton to star in it, another actor who's generally suited to sports movies (although we're thinking more Friday Night Lights than Bad News Bears).
It's based on the novel by Million Dollar Baby author F.X.Toole*, about a retired and widowed boxer (Thornton) mourning the death of his grandson. His life "intersects in unexpected ways" with a young up-and-coming Latino boxer, in what we're assured is a heartwarming story and not a total downer like that Clint Eastwood and Hilary Swank film.
Shelton is both writing and directing, and shooting's due to take place early next year.
*Sounds like something they use at Industrial Light and Magic.