The first trailer for the Boston Marathon bombing drama “Stronger” hit the internet Thursday, along with a release date.
Jake Gyllenhaal and Tatiana Maslany star as Jeff Bauman and Erin Hurley, who became public figures after Bauman was injured during the Boston Marathon bombings, losing both his legs.
The film is based on Bauman’s memoir “Stronger,” which he co-wrote with Bret Witter. The book follows his life following the event, which included him identifying one of the bombers, becoming a witness in the investigation, and becoming the face of the survivors after a photograph of him in bloody and in a wheelchair began circulating.
His role in the investigation takes a back seat in the trailer, which mostly focuses on his relationship with Hurley and his physical and mental recovery. He has to learn to walk on prosthetics and can’t seem to keep his appointments. He becomes a citywide celebrity, but has to learn how to live with what has happened to him.
“Stronger” is a Boston film to the core. Bauman gets to go out onto the ice at a Bruins game and gets to throw a pitch at Fenway Park.
Gyllenhaal and Maslany star, along with Academy Award nominee Miranda Richardson and Clancy Brown. The film is directed by David Gordon Green.
The drama comes on the heels of another Boston Marathon movie, “Patriots Day,” which starred Mark Wahlberg as a cop who gets swept up in the search and subsequent citywide manhunt for the bombers. While it was well received by critics, some Boston film reviewers didn’t take so kindly to the movie, feeling that the composite nature of Wahlberg’s character didn’t do justice to the people who were actually apart of the bombings.
At the very least, “Stronger” is about a real person.
“Stronger” is set to hit theaters on Sept. 22. Watch the full trailer above.
The Evolution of Jake Gyllenhaal: From 'Bubble Boy' to 'Life' (Photos)
"Bubble Boy" (2001) One of Gyllenhaal's earliest film credits is as Jimmy Livingston -- a boy without an immune system who lives in a bubble -- in "Bubble Boy"
Buena Vista Pictures
"Donnie Darko" (2001) Perhaps one of Gyllenhaal's most notable roles, the actor stars as the titular character in this cult classic about a troubled teenager with disturbing visions
Newmarket Films
"The Good Girl" (2002) In "The Good Girl," Gyllenhaal plays Holden, the love interest of Jennifer Aniston's character Justine Last. The two start an affair while working together at a local department store
Fox Searchlight Pictures
"Moonlight Mile" (2003) After Joe Nast's (Gyllenhaal) fiancée Diana Floss was murdered in a shooting, he opts to stay with her parents and mourn her loss together
Buena Vista Pictures
"The Day After Tomorrow" (2004) In this sci-fi flick, Gyllenhaal plays Sam Hall -- a baby-faced teenager visiting Manhattan when disastrous weather strikes
20th Century Fox
"Brokeback Mountain" (2005) Gyllenhaal plays Heath Ledger's lover Jack Twist in one of the most innovative films of all time. The two gay cowboys earned several Academy Awards nods.
Focus Features
"Jarhead" (2005) Gyllenhaal stars as real-life United States Marine Anthony Swofford who is deployed to fight in the Gulf War
Universal Pictures
"Zodiac" (2007) In "Zodiac," Gyllenhaal's character Robert Graysmith is fascinated by a notorious serial killer in San Francisco. He later goes on to pen a book about the self-named Zodiac killer, though the murders remain unsolved
Paramount Pictures
"Brothers" (2009) Gyllenhaal stars opposite Tobey Maguire in "Brothers," a story about a Marine with intense post-traumatic stress disorder
Lionsgate
"Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" (2010) The actor stars as Dastan in this adventure action fantasy film based on the video game, as Gyllenhaal proves he is capable of taking on a macho persona in an action flick
Walt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures
"Love & Other Drugs" (2010) In "Love & Other Drugs," he plays Jamie Randall -- a successful Viagra salesman and Anne Hathaway's love interest
20th Century Fox
"Prisoners" (2013) Gyllenhaal stars as Detective Loki, a somber character who is tasked with the safe return of two girls who go missing
Warner Bros. Pictures
"Nightcrawler" (2014) Gyllenhaal portrays Louis "Lou" Bloom in "Nightcrawler" -- a freelance cameraman who shoots crime scenes. Oftentimes, he tampers with evidence for the sake of a better, more profitable shot
Open Road Films
"Enemy" (2014) Gyllenhaal is his own co-star in "Enemy," a psychological thriller about one identical twin who stalks the other
A24 Films
"Southpaw" (2015) The actor plays down-and-out boxer Billy Hope in "Southpaw." The fighter undergoes an inspiring comeback story after the death of his wife (Rachel McAdams)
The Weinstein Company
"Demolition" (2016)
The actor plays a young finance exec who goes into a tailspin while mourning the sudden death of his wife.
Fox Searchlight
"Nocturnal Animals" (2014)
The actor played dual roles in Tom Ford's acclaimed thriller, as both struggling novelist (and ex-husband of Amy Adams' gallery owner) as well as the protagonist of that writer's creepy novel.
Focus Features
"Sunday in the Park With George" (2017)
Gyllenhaal starred with Annaleigh Ashford in a Broadway revival of the Stephen Sondheim musical as 19th-century French artist Georges Seurat.
"Life" (2017)
Gyllenhaal stars opposite Ryan Reynolds and Rebecca Ferguson as astronauts who discover life on Mars -- and it seems less than friendly to human visitors.
Sony
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The acclaimed actor is now starring opposite Ryan Reynolds in a new sci-fi thriller