Billy Bob Thornton: Goes in the ring for boxing movie

Billy Bob Thornton: Goes in the ring for boxing movie

American actor and musician Billy Bob Thornton has signed on to star in "Pound for Pound", a boxing drama based on the novel "Million Dollar Baby" by F.X. Toole.

The book's author, F.X. Toole died before completing it, and was then released posthumously even though somewhat unfinished.

F.X. Toole was the pen name of late boxer and author Jerry Boyd.

Ron Shelton will write and direct the indie film.

Billy Bob Thornton will play a retired and widowed boxer who is dealing with depression after his grandson is killed in a car accident. The book also tells the story of an up and coming Latino boxer whose life intersects in unexpected ways.

The film is slated to begin production in early 2010 with no release date yet.