Resurrecting the Champ

Resurrecting the Champ is a 2007 drama film directed by Rod Lurie and written by Michael Bortman and Allison Burnett, based on the L.A. Times Magazine article by J.R. Moehringer. The film revolves around an up-and-coming sports reporter (Hartnett) who rescues a homeless man ("Champ", Jackson) only to discover that he is, in fact, a boxing legend believed to have passed away. What begins as an opportunity to resurrect Champ's story and escape the shadow of his father's success becomes a personal journey as the ambitious reporter reexamines his own life and his relationship with his family. It stars Samuel L. Jackson, Alan Alda, and Josh Hartnett, among others. It was filmed in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and premiered on August 24, 2007.