Jeremy Renner tapped to play another Bostonian: boxer Rocky Marciano

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For a West Coaster, Jeremy Renner was a pretty convincing Bostonian in The Town—so much so, he landed an Oscar nomination. So really, should we be surprised that he’s up for taking another stab at it? Or, should we say, jab?

Variety reports that Renner will star as Rocky Marciano, the former heavyweight champion from Brockton, Massachusetts (aka, the other Rocky). Marciano is still the only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated at 49-0. He held the heavyweight title from 1952 to 1956. Marciano died in a plane crash in 1969.

The movie is the first authorized biopic on Marciano’s life, according to Variety, and has a working title of Undefeated: The Rocky Marciano Story.

The film has yet to find a director, but a natural contender might be Ben Affleck. We hear he’s, well, kinda busy, though.

Unbelievable images from the old Boston Garden:

  • A bird's eye view of the old Boston Garden.
    A bird’s eye view of the old Boston Garden.

  • The venue was the former home of the Celtics and 16 championship banners.
    The venue was the former home of the Celtics and 16 championship banners.

  • It was also the old home of the Bruins and five Stanley Cup banners.
    It was also the old home of the Bruins and five Stanley Cup banners.

  • Larry Bird and Julius
    Larry Bird and Julius “Dr. J” Erving engaged in an infamous scuffle on Novermber 9, 1984.

  • “Marvelous” Marvin Halger knocked down Fulgencio Obelmejias in the sixth round of a middleweight bout on October 31, 1984.
    “Marvelous” Marvin Halger knocked down Fulgencio Obelmejias in the sixth round of a middleweight bout on October 31, 1984.

  • Fans waited outside of Boston Garden to get Celtics Playoffs tickets in 1986.
    Fans waited outside of Boston Garden to get Celtics Playoffs tickets in 1986.

  • The Boston Bruins' Bobby Orr is shown airborne after scoring the goal that won the Stanley Cup for the Bruins against the St. Louis Blues on May 10,1970.
    The Boston Bruins’ Bobby Orr is shown airborne after scoring the goal that won the Stanley Cup for the Bruins against the St. Louis Blues on May 10,1970.

  • Jo Jo White lifted the Celtics over the 76ers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals of the 1977 playoffs.
    Jo Jo White lifted the Celtics over the 76ers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals of the 1977 playoffs.

  • Professional wrestler Walter
    Professional wrestler Walter “Killer” Kowalski choked Dean Ho of Hawaii.

  • During the
    During the “Heat Game” in the 1984 NBA Finals, Larry Bird and the Celtics defeated Magic Johnson and the Lakers, 121-103, on June 8, 1984. The C’s won the series in seven games.

  • In his only Boston Garden appearance, Brockton, Massachusetts native Rocky Marciano defeated Fred Beshore with a fourth-round knock out on August 27, 1951.
    In his only Boston Garden appearance, Brockton, Massachusetts native Rocky Marciano defeated Fred Beshore with a fourth-round knock out on August 27, 1951.

  • What’s a sporting event without a little popcorn?

  • Michael Jordan visted Bird and the Boston Celtics in November of 1988.
    Michael Jordan visted Bird and the Boston Celtics in November of 1988.

  • On June 12, 1984, Larry Bird ushered an excited crowd off the court in Game 7 of the 1984 NBA Finals before the Celtics' eventual win over the Lakers.
    On June 12, 1984, Larry Bird ushered an excited crowd off the court in Game 7 of the 1984 NBA Finals before the Celtics’ eventual win over the Lakers.

  • Ranger's Ed Giacomin took a break to catch his breath during the 1972 Stanley Cup finals after working as the Rangers' sixth skater. The Rangers won the game, but the Bruins won the Cup a game later.
    Ranger’s Ed Giacomin took a break to catch his breath during the 1972 Stanley Cup finals after working as the Rangers’ sixth skater. The Rangers won the game, but the Bruins won the Cup a game later.

  • Kyle Bradley created a sandcastle in Boston Garden after a beach volleyball tournament in February 1992.
    Kyle Bradley created a sandcastle in Boston Garden after a beach volleyball tournament in February 1992.

  • Bruins captain John Bucyk hoisted the Stanley Cup after the Bruins defeated the Blues for the 1970 NHL title.
    Bruins captain John Bucyk hoisted the Stanley Cup after the Bruins defeated the Blues for the 1970 NHL title.

  • The Bruins faced the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4 of the 1988 Stanley Cup Finals. Fog interfered with the game, and eventaully a power failure caused it to be cancelled.
    The Bruins faced the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4 of the 1988 Stanley Cup Finals. Fog interfered with the game, and eventaully a power failure caused it to be cancelled.

  • Bruins winger Ken Hodge scored the winning goal in the Bruins' game against Toronto on April 10, 1972.
    Bruins winger Ken Hodge scored the winning goal in the Bruins’ game against Toronto on April 10, 1972.

  • Bill Russell rejected this shot from 76er Wilt Chamberlain.
    Bill Russell rejected this shot from 76er Wilt Chamberlain.

  • Cam Neely was pulled off of Edmonton Oilers' Shan Corson in Game 4 of the 1988 Stanley Cup Finals on May 24.
    Cam Neely was pulled off of Edmonton Oilers’ Shan Corson in Game 4 of the 1988 Stanley Cup Finals on May 24.

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