"No Pain, No Gain" Flexes Its Muscles

By Erin Keck

In the Hollywood world of sequels, remakes and done-to-death storylines, few directors can say they have a truly original concept for a movie.

Samuel Turcotte can.

As director, producer and writer, Turcotte is currently working on “No Pain, No Gain,” the first feature-length fiction film ever to delve into the realm of bodybuilding. Fans are already flocking to the website at www.no-pain-no-gain.com to see the trailer and in anticipation of the new movie that depicts a subculture rarely seen on film.

“No Pain, No Gain” will star champion bodybuilders Gus Malliarodakis and Dennis Newman in a screenplay by Darryl Wimberley, Jodi Lane Baum and Turcotte. Co-producer Raul Carrera, an acclaimed moviemaker who has worked with top directors and shown his work at the Cannes Film Festival, will also bring his talent and experience to the film. Veteran cinematographer Mike King will capture the action on film with Panavision 35mm cameras.

The movie industry has not seen a film explore the world of bodybuilding since the 25-year-old documentary “Pumping Iron,” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno. And then, it was based on real life, not a creative storyline.

“There has never been a fiction film set in the world of bodybuilding. And although bodybuilding is well known and millions of people work out at gyms, there are rarely even bodybuilders depicted as characters in movies,” Turcotte said. “That's because unlike other sports, such as boxing or baseball, an actor can not fake bodybuilding.”

The Stars

So the universe of real bodybuilding actors is rather small, making it difficult to find someone who is strong in both areas. Not even a mega-budget feature such as “The Hulk” could find a convincing muscleman to play the green destroyer. Instead, they decided to rely on a computer-generated Hulk.

“No Pain, No Gain” features two talented actor-bodybuilders, Gus Malliarodakis and Dennis Newman, who play the protagonist and nemesis in the film.

Malliarodakis, who plays the part of underdog bodybuilder Mike Zorillo, has been featured on the covers of “Muscle & Fitness” and “Ironman” magazines. His acting credits include a part as a submarine officer in the Emmy-award winning Paramount Television mini-series "War and Remembrance," plus numerous television commercials, music videos and print advertisements.

"I’m totally pumped to play the lead in 'No Pain, No Gain,'” Malliarodakis said. “This film will be a milestone in the history of bodybuilding, so this is a great opportunity to make a further contribution to the sport.”

Newman has won the Teen USA, Mr. California and the USA Bodybuilding competitions, and graced the cover of “Muscle & Fitness,” “Ironman,” and “Flex” magazines. He plays the arrogant, over-the-top bodybuilder Jake Steel who opposes the hero, Mike Zorillo’s, every move.

“The Jake Steel character totally rocks! He is has all the qualities I love and hate about bodybuilding in one package,” Newman said.

Jill Mills, the two-time winner and current undisputed champion of the “World’s Strongest Woman” competition, also makes a cameo in the film as an overzealous power lifter and bodybuilding competition judge in several scenes, including one which depicts her immense strength in an attempt to "motivate" her less-than-enthusiastic male training partner.

The Story

“No Pain, No Gain” follows the struggles of a highly intelligent former state champion bodybuilder from small-town Ohio who has become obsessed with his scientific research in human physiology and, consequently, lets his world-class physique go. He travels to Venice Beach, California, the mecca of bodybuilding and outrageous gym culture, determined to create his own revolutionary new training regimen and reveal his findings to the world.

To fulfill his dream, the bodybuilder realizes he has to get back in supreme shape, compete in the "Mr. West Coast" bodybuilding competition and use his own body as the perfect reflection of his mind's work.

He is pitted against steroid-popping competitors and the biggest sports-nutrition company in the world, but with the help of a quirky computer genius and a kickboxing goddess he is able to face the challenge. In the end, they discover that balance in life, similar to a well-balanced and sculpted anatomy, is the ultimate achievement.

“I think ‘No Pain, No Gain’ has a tremendous potential for success. It’s entertaining, funny and has a positive message. It's sexy, wild and shows the inside of a world that everyone knows a little about, but few see from the inside,” Turcotte said.

“No Pain, No Gain” is currently in post-production. Visit the movie’s website at www.no-pain-no-gain.com.

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