According to Variety, Bale’s decision stemmed from health concerns, specifically the weight gain required for the role.
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“It is because he made radical transformations in the past for roles such as The Machinist and American Hustle and began the weight gain process for Ferrari he felt necessary, but couldn’t safely be ready in time for Spring, 2016”, the insider explains.
E! News has confirmed that the 41-year-old actor chose to drop out of the Michael Mann-helmed biopic about the iconic auto magnate. The actor would have had to gain weight to play the title role.
Mann is now recasting role and is said to be speaking to other big names about playing proxy. Production on Enzo Ferrari is due to commence this spring, leaving Bale no option but no exit the movie.
Vendian Entertainment and YooZoo Bliss Film Fund are financing the project, which plans to shoot this summer in Italy. YooZoo Pictures also will distribute Enzo Ferrari in China.
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It is based on the book by Brock Yates and has been a project Mann has been working on for 15 years, so it’s unlikely that he will stop chasing it. Paramount has already secured distribution. It was written by Troy Kennedy-Martin (The Italian Job) and later revised by David Rayfiel (The Firm) and Mann, who is hoping to make it his follow-up to Blackhat.
