Michael C. Pitt has always been a master of transformation, bringing intensity and depth to every role he inhabits. From his breakout performance in Hedwig and the Angry Inch to unforgettable turns in The Dreamers and Funny Games, Pitt is known for tackling characters that push boundaries and dive headfirst into the human psyche.
Now, in Day of the Fight, he steps into the raw, gritty world of a former boxer seeking redemption. Directed and written by Jack Huston, the film reunites Pitt with his Boardwalk Empire co-stars Huston and Steve Buscemi, adding a layer of camaraderie and creative synergy to the project.
In a conversation with LATF, Pitt shares his rigorous preparation for the role, including daily boxing sessions and the choice to make fight scenes as authentic as possible. He reflects on the powerful emotional connection he developed with his character and the profound impact of working alongside legends like Joe Pesci and Buscemi.
For Pitt, Day of the Fight isn’t just a film—it’s a deeply human story of love, loss, and resilience, brought to life with the fearless artistry that defines his career.
LATF: Can you talk about your prep and training for this role; for boxing and mental preparation?
Michael C. Pitt: We had talked about it for some time. Basically the physical aspect, I just trained as a boxer. I went and trained every day. I had some great friends who were ex-boxers and also trainers. And there was not a lot of stunt choreography, so to speak, it was more about just learning how to take hits and learning how to give hits.
LATF: But that was makeup, right? You guys didn’t actually punch each other in the face.
Michael C. Pitt: Yeah, we punched. We were making contact with each other. So we were, yes, we were making contact. It was something, we’re a smaller production, and I was trying to think of something that we could do, that where we could be competitive, where we were doing something different, that bigger productions couldn’t do. And so we kept the fight for for the end of the movie, so that if I got hurt…. We had already shot the film. We’ve gotten a lot of compliments on it, so I’m happy that we did it. But it was hard.
LATF: I bet it was. It was fantastic. I’d like to talk about the scene with Joe Pesci as Mikey’s father. You’re speaking to somebody that is not speaking back, but you can see him speaking with his eyes. Can you talk a little bit about the experience in filming that scene with Joe?
Michael C. Pitt: It was very intense. Maybe something that’s interesting is is to know that it was never fully clear to me whether or not he was going to speak, whether he was going to speak, or whether he wasn’t. And I’m just blown away by Pesci’s decision, choice as an actor, to not speak with words, because it’s so tragic, and it’s so tragic that because, as you say, I mean, I get chills thinking about it. You see him saying things with his eyes, but he can’t speak the words, and it’s such a brave choice.
LATF: You first worked with Steve Buscemi in Delirious almost 20 years ago. Then Boardwalk Empire, and now in this film. How was it reuniting on screen?
Michael C. Pitt: It was just great. I mean, just personally, we have, we’ve worked, you know, he’s been a part of my life. You know, we’ve worked together so many times, and I hadn’t seen him in a while, and he just came in his car and did it. It’s really a testament to who Steve is. He’s just, he’s that guy. He knew he didn’t have to do it, he didn’t, but he wanted to help. And that’s Steve. I mean, he’s a great guy.
LATF: Taking it back to the beginning, what was it about the craft of acting that fascinated you?
Michael C. Pitt: I’ve always been really interested in people, and curious about people, why people are the way they are, and acting for me has absolutely saved my life in a way I don’t know what I would be doing. I need to remind myself to be grateful everyday for it. But there was kind of a place that I went to, that I go to when I’m performing that’s just… it’s very hard to describe.
Day of the Fight is now in theaters: https://www.dayofthefight.com/tickets/
Interview by Pamela Price
