In January 1996, wrestler and Olympian Dave Schultz was shot and killed by John E. du Pont at the du Pont family Pennsylvania estate, Foxcatcher Farms. After a two-day standoff, which drew national attention, du Pont (heir to the family fortune), was captured and convicted. On November 14, Foxcatcher, the film based on the event—it stars Steve Carrell as du Pont, Mark Ruffalo as Dave Schultz, and Channing Tatum as Mark Schultz, who, alongside brother Dave, trained at Foxcatcher Farms—hit theaters.
Days after the film's release, Dutton published Mark Schultz's memoir, Foxcatcher: The True Story of My Brother's Murder, John du Pont's Madness, and the Quest for Olympic Gold. (The filmmakers optioned Schultz's life rights, not his book, for the film.) We chatted with Schultz about why he decided to write the memoir, and his take on the film adaptation.
When, and why, did you decide to write your life story in your own words?
I wrote my autobiography in 1997 so my kids would know a little more about my crazy life and what I did with it. I gave the option to executive producer Michael Coleman in 2002. Bennett Miller's company acquired the life rights 2006. Annapurna Productions acquired them in 2012.
Was it difficult seeing your life on screen?
Yes, it was difficult to see the darkest part of my life resurrected and see Dave murdered. It was the first time that nightmare came to life. However, seeing Channing Tatum play me was like a gift from God. I couldn't have asked for a better person. As I've watched the movie over and over, I've started focusing more on the performances of the actors and less on my story. Steve Carell's transformation is startling. Not just the makeup, but his talent and ability to play du Pont is incredible. I honestly can't imagine anyone better than Mark Ruffalo in his portrayal of my brother. Anthony Michael Hall is a champion actor. Vanessa Redgrave is perfect. She conveys so much with just her expressions. And Sienna Miller is drop dead gorgeous and sweet.
Do you feel like the depiction of du Pont in the movie, and your relationship with him, is fair?
It's fairly fair. I never looked at du Pont like a mentor, father figure, leader or role model. I tried my best to keep my distance, but it was difficult. I spent almost no time on the mat with du Pont; I think the only time I ever did was one time I head locked him to his back for a documentary he was making on himself trying to act like he could coach wrestling. On screen, Carell wasn't as gross as du Pont was in real life. Carell's du Pont is cleaner and more sympathetic, but I see now how necessary it was for the movie to portray du Pont in that way.
Are there elements of the book that you want audiences, and readers, to take away, that aren’t in the movie?
The main thing I want is for my brother Dave to be immortalized. In the book, readers get to know Dave as I knew him—not only the brilliant wrestler, but also the amazing person, who was instrumental to my own success as a wrestler.
