Race (2016 film)

Race
Directed by Stephen Hopkins
Produced by Karsten Brünig
Luc Dayan
Kate Garwood
Stephen Hopkins
Jean-Charles Levy
Nicolas Manuel
Thierry Potok
Louis-Philippe Rochon
Dominique Séguin
Written by Joe Shrapnel
Anna Waterhouse
Starring Stephan James
Jason Sudeikis
Jeremy Irons
William Hurt
Carice van Houten
Cinematography Peter Levy
Production
company
Forecast Pictures
Solofilms
Trinity Race
Distributed by Entertainment One (Canada)
Focus Features (US)
SquareOne Entertainment (Germany)
Release dates
  • April 8, 2016 (United States)
Country France
Germany
Canada
United Kingdom
Language English

Race is an upcoming French-German-British-Canadian produced biographical sports-drama film directed by Stephen Hopkins and written by Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse. The film stars Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis, Jeremy Irons, William Hurt and Carice van Houten.

It is the first feature biopic film about American athlete Jesse Owens who won a record-breaking four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games.[1] The film is being supported by the Owens family, the Jesse Owens Foundation, the Jesse Owens Trust and the Luminary Group.[1]

Principal photography began on July 24, 2014, in Montreal, Canada. Forecast Pictures, Solo Film, and Trinity Race are producing the film, Entertainment One will release the film in Canada, Focus Features in the United States on April 8, 2016, and SquareOne Entertainment will release in Germany in 2015.

Plot

Track and field star Jesse Owens overcomes adversity to win four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games.

Cast

Production

Jesse Owens on the track at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games

On January 24, 2014, it was announced that Forecast Pictures is developing a film about American athlete Jesse Owens who won a record-breaking four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games.[7] Mister Smith Entertainment handled the international sales for the film at Berlin Film Market in February, Stephen Hopkins was set to direct on the script by Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse.[7] Solofilms and Trinity Race would co-produce the film, which John Boyega was set star as Owens.[7] On February 6, international sales for the film were launched by Mister Smith Entertainment at the Berlin Olympic Stadium which was attended by the daughter of Olympic athlete Jesse Owens, Marlene Owens Rankin, Jeremy Irons and Geoffrey Rush were confirmed for the cast.[8] SquareOne Entertainment and Entertainment One had boarded the project to distribute in Germany and Canada, with production was set to start on May 24.[8]

It will feel like a contemporary story, It is about a kid from the wrong side of the tracks fighting his way to the forefront to represent his country. It should be something where people go, I can't believe this ever happened. My dream is to present a real hero, Someone who does it because of his need to better himself and to be dignified, but not in a stuffy way.

—Stephen Hopkins, director[8]

In April 2014, Boyega dropped out of the starring role in "Race", after he was cast to Star Wars: The Force Awakens.[9] On May 7, Focus Features was in final talks to acquire the US distribution rights to the film.[10] On May 28, actor Boyega was replaced by Stephan James to star as lead in the film.[2] On July 16, Focus Features was confirmed to distribute the film in the US, and Jason Sudeikis and Jeremy Irons joined the film, Sudeikis to play Larry Snyder, Owens' obsessive coach, while Irons would play Avery Brundage, the head of the American Olympic committee, who fought to have the 1936 Olympics take place in Berlin.[3] The film has a support of the Jesse Owens Foundation, the Jesse Owens Trust and the Luminary Group.[1] On September 29, Carice van Houten was added to the cast to play film director Leni Riefenstahl, invited by Hitler to shoot the 1936 Olympics, which she released in the form of a documentary film Olympia in 1938.[5] On October 1, William Hurt joined the film to play Jeremiah Mahoney, president of the Amateur Athletic Union, who led efforts to boycott the 1936 Olympics.[4] Other cast includes Amanda Crew, Tim Post, and Jonathan Aris.[6]

Filming

The principal photography on the film commenced on July 24, 2014, in Montreal, Canada, and on location at Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany.[3]

Release

On October 1, 2014, Focus Features set the film Race for April 8, 2016 release.[4]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Fleming Jr, Mike (July 16, 2014). "Focus Features First To Start Line On Crowded Field Of Jesse Owens Biopics". deadline.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sneider, Jeff (May 28, 2014). "'Star Wars' Hero John Boyega to Be Replaced by 'Selma' Actor in Jesse Owens Biopic". thewrap.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Kit, Borys (July 16, 2014). "Jason Sudeikis, Jeremy Irons Join Jesse Owens Drama 'Race'". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Jesse Owens Biopic ‘Race’ Release Date Set For April 2016; William Hurt Joins Cast". deadline.com. October 1, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Kit, Borys (September 29, 2014). "'Game of Thrones' Actress to Play Leni Riefenstahl in Jesse Owens Biopic". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Hunter, Craig (September 30, 2014). "Carice Van Houten Lands Controversial Nazi Role In Jesse Owens Biopic RACE". screenrelish.com. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 McNary, Dave (January 24, 2014). "Jesse Owens Biopic Finds Its Leading Man". variety.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Barraclough, Leo (February 7, 2014). "Jesse Owens Biopic Gets Boost From Family". variety.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  9. ↑ Zimmerman, Amy (April 30, 2014). "John Boyega, the Hero of 'Star Wars: Episode VII,' Has the Force". thedailybeast.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  10. ↑ Sneider, Jeff (May 7, 2014). "Focus Features in Negotiations to Board Jesse Owens Biopic ‘Race’". thewrap.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.

External links