First look at Christian Bale and Woody Harrelson in Out of the Furnace

July 8th 2013, 1:25pm

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

In an interview with USA Today, OUT OF THE FURNACE director Scott Cooper (CRAZY HEART) cited the inspiration for the script to be Pearl Jam’s track “Release” from their debut album, Ten. If you’re familiar with the song (a personal favorite of mine) then you know how deeply intense and emotional it is. While the focus on the song was on the relationship, or lack there of between singer Eddie Vedder and his Father, it certainly captures the tone of what Cooper wants from his film. Cooper even flew to Seattle to take a cut of the movie to Vedder who was “deeply moved” by what he saw and then decided to contribute to the soundtrack.

The first photos give us a look at Woody Harrelson and Christian Bale who look to be locked in a heavy exchange. Harrelson plays the villain, the leader of the crime ring. But the flick is far removed from the heroes and villains of later according to Scott, “You often find superheroic people wearing capes and costumes in film today. But working-class Americans are the real heroes. This is the story of this man who works in a blast furnace, but with themes of justice, retribution and courage.”

OUT OF THE FURNACE set in Braddock, Pennsylvania tells a story about fate, circumstance and justice. Russell (Christian Bale) and his younger brother Rodney (Casey Affleck) live in the economically depressed Rust Belt, and have always dreamed of escaping and finding better lives. But when a cruel twist of fate lands Russell in prison, his brother is lured into one of the most violent and ruthless crime rings in the Northeast – a mistake that will almost cost him everything. Once released, Russell must choose between his own freedom, or risk it all to seek justice for his brother.

The other component of the story is, “a testament to the steel workers who have suffered through trying economic times.” Cooper continued, “It shows the plight of the citizens of Braddock. They have banded together and emerged stronger now. It’s much like the process of what steel undergoes — intense heat which emerges stronger as it comes out of the furnace.”

OUT OF THE FURNACE starring Christian Bale, Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck, Forest Whitaker, WIllem Dafoe, Sam Shepard and Zoe Saldana is set for release on November 27th, 2013.