STXfilms Motion Picture Group chairman Adam Fogelson announced that ErosSTX’s sports drama National Champions has added three performers to its cast.
New to the film are Kristin Chenoweth (Holidate, Pushing Daisies), Jeffrey Donovan (Wrath of Man), and Lil Rel Howery (Fatherhood, Free Guy). The trio of co-stars joins the National Champions cast that already includes Stephan James, J.K. Simmons, Uzo Aduba, and Alexander Ludwig. Also attached to the film are Andrew Bachelor, David Koechner, Tim Blake Nelson, and Timothy Olyphant.
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Chenoweth will play Bailey Lazor, who is the wife of JK. Simmons’ Coach Lazor. More than just a wife, Bailey is said to have “the erudition and taste of an Upper East Sider.” Meanwhile, Donovan plays an executive named Mike Titus that calls an NCAA meeting after a star quarterback begins to boycott the big game. Finally, Howery is set to play the team’s defensive coordinator named Coach Dunn.
“This cast of some of the most respected veteran actors and rising stars is truly remarkable,” said Fogelson of the National Champions cast. “We’re thrilled that everyone responded to this story the way they did and we hope National Champions will spark a dialogue about collegiate athletics.”
Directed by Ric Roman Waugh and written by Adam Mervis, based on his play, the film will be produced by Basil Iwanyk and Brendon Boyea of Thunder Road and Greg Economou of game1. Jonathan Fuhrman of Thunder Road, Matthew Helderman and Luke Taylor of Bondit Media Capital, Christian Mercuri of The Capstone Group, Michael Smith, and Adam Mervis are executive producers.
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The film revolves around a star quarterback (played by James) that ignites a player’s strike just three days prior to the biggest game of the college football year in order to fight for fair compensation and respect. The film will begin shooting in New Orleans this month. The film is fully financed by BondIt Media Capital and The Capstone Group. CAA Media Finance Group and Range Media Partners brokered the deal.
