Christian Bale Out Of Ferrari Biopic

The rumors that circulated over Golden Globe weekend were true, as Christian Bale has pulled out of Michael Mann’s biopic of iconic automaker Enzo Ferrari due to health concerns, TheWrap has learned.

Reports suggest the Oscar victor didn’t feel he could gain the necessary weight for the role by the spring (16), when filming was scheduled to start.

The star has tested his health for roles in the past, losing and/or gaining weight for The Fighter, The MAChinist and American Hustle.

According to Deadline, which first reported the news, the filmmakers plan to recast the role and move forward forward with the project.

While Bale’s exit is a blow, the project remains very much on track, with Paramount distributing in most territories. The role of Enzo Ferrari (pictured above, courtesy of Wikipedia) certainly sounds like something Christian Bale would be able to sink his teeth into (pun intended). It’s based on Brock Yates’ book Enzo Ferrari, The Man, The Cars, The Races.

The story takes place in one pivotal year, 1957. 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. Mann has been working on Enzo Ferrari for 15 years, initially shaping it with the late Sydney Pollack.