What the Hell Happened to Hilary Swank?

https://lebeauleblog.com/2013/05/31/what-the-hell-happened-to-hilary-swank/6/

Since winning her first Oscar, Swank’s career was already cooling. She had yet to star in a box office hit. But she was about to get another major career boost.

Later that year, Swank starred opposite Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman in Eastwood’s boxing movie, Million Dollar Baby.

Swank played a female boxer who rises in the ranks with the help of a gruff trainer played by Eastwood. Eastwood’s character is reluctant to train a girl which makes for some great comedic moments in the first half of the film. But towards the end, the movie takes a dark and unexpected turn.

Paul Haggis, who also wrote and directed the Oscar-winning drama, Crash, wrote the screenplay for Million Dollar Baby as well. Originally, he had intended to direct the boxing movie himself. Freeman was approached to play the gruff trainer, but preferred the supporting role instead. Eastwood was cast as the male lead and asked if he might take over as director of the picture. Haggis was already working on Crash and agreed to let Eastwood take over on Million Dollar Baby.

At one point, Sandra Bullock was attached to the lead role. But her commitment to Miss Congeniality 2 prevented her from starring in Million Dollar Baby. When Eastwood met with Swank, he hired her on the spot. Swank was on the skinny side at the time of their meeting, so he told her she better get to the gym to prepare. He knew about her athletic background and was confident she could bulk up for the role.

Swank underwent a vigorous work out to prepare for Million Dollar Baby. She set out to gain around ten pounds but ended up putting on 20 pounds of muscle. She also developed a very serious infection from a blister on her foot. Swank had to spend a week in the hospital to recover, but didn’t tell Eastwood or anyone associated with the production. She didn’t feel like it would be “in character” to report the injury.

Million Dollar Baby received good reviews and was a hit at the box office. Certain groups took issue with some controversial content in the film’s final act. But that didn’t prevent the movie from cleaning up during awards season. Five years after Boys Don’t Cry, Swank repeated her Oscar and Golden Globe wins.

When Sean Penn apologizes for his “compromised sense of humor”, you know nothing good will follow.