The film
Chuck (2016).
The story of Chuck Wepner — the Bayonne Bleeder, the man who went fifteen rounds with Muhammad Ali and inspired one of cinema's most celebrated franchises — brought to the screen by director Philippe Falardeau, starring Liev Schreiber.
About the filmThe story
The Bayonne Bleeder on screen.
Chuck tells the true story of Chuck Wepner — a liquor salesman and club bouncer from Bayonne, New Jersey, who became a heavyweight contender and fought Muhammad Ali for the world title in 1975. His extraordinary performance that night inspired Sylvester Stallone to write Rocky.
Liev Schreiber plays Wepner with raw authenticity, capturing the fighter's resilience, his flaws, and the complicated aftermath of his brush with greatness. Elisabeth Moss, Naomi Watts, and Ron Perlman co-star. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2016.
Credits
Cast & crew.
Chuck Wepner
Liev Schreiber
Director
Philippe Falardeau
Linda
Elisabeth Moss
Phyllis
Naomi Watts
John
Ron Perlman
Muhammad Ali
Pooch Hall
Sylvester Stallone
Morgan Spector
Released
TIFF 2016 · US 2017
Watch
Chuck (2016) Clip and Interview
Watch the film clip on YouTube — Liev Schreiber as Chuck Wepner, the Bayonne Bleeder, in the story of the man who inspired Rocky. Also an interview about his career and the movie
Also on screen
The Brawler (2019).
A second film biography, The Brawler (2019), starring Zach McGowan as Chuck Wepner, further explored the fighter's life and legacy. Together the two films stand as testament to the enduring power of Wepner's story.
2026
November 2026
50th anniversary celebrations.
The 50th anniversary of the Rocky film will be marked with commemorative events in Bayonne. Details will be confirmed and added here as they are announced.
View the anniversary page