George Gallo's 'Bigger' will tell the story of Joe and Ben Weider, the founders of the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding competition. According to Deadline, Callum Von Moger (Mr Universe 2014) will play a young Arnold Schwarzenegger. The two brothers who cofounded the International Federation of Bodybuilding, discovered Schwarzenegger and encouraged him to join them in the US. Before becoming an action film superstar and Governor of California, Arnie won the Mr. Olympia title seven times! In 1972, the Weider brothers used to sell a nutritional supplement called Weider Formula No.7. The product packaging featured none other than Schwarzenegger.
'Bigger' which is currently in production in Alabama will feature Robert Forster, Tom Arnold, Max Martini, DJ Qualls and Steve Guttenberg. Tyler Hoechlin will play Joe Weider and Aneurin Barnard, from 'Dunkirk', will play his brother, Ben. Kevin Durand will play Bill Hauk, the fitness magazine editor, and nemesis to the brothers. Julianne Hough has been cast as Betty, Joe's wife also known as the first lady of fitness, whilst Victoria Justice portrays Joe's first wife, and Colton Haynes plays Jack LaLanne.
The rest of the cast
Louis Weider, Joe's dad, will be portrayed by Guttenberg. Forster will bring to life an older Joe Weider. Tom Arnold will play Roy Hawkins, the first editor to feature Joe Weider in his magazine. Martini will play Jerry George, a friend of Bill Hauk. Lastly, Qualls will portray Mike Steere, the journalist who co-wrote the book, 'Brothers of Iron: Building the Weider Empire'.
Steve Lee Jones and Scott LaStaiti from Bee Holder Productions, are in charge of production, whilst Eric Weider and Camila Castro take up the roles of executive producers. 'Bigger' is written by Brad Furman, Ellen Brown Furman, Andy Weiss and Gallo.
