Zachary Levi to Star in Erwin Brothers’ Kurt Warner Biopic
By Cooper Dowd, Contributing Writer
Zachary Levi will star as the former NFL two-time MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner in the upcoming biopic AMERICAN UNDERDOG: THE KURT WARNER STORY. Jon and Andy Erwin are directing and producing the movie under their Kingdom Story Company alongside Mark Ciardi and Kevin Downes.
Production is scheduled to start later this year. The movie will be co-produced by Kurt and Brenda Warner and distributed by Lionsgate.
“Kurt’s story is one of relentless faith – in his own abilities but even more so in a higher power,” Levi said. “When I read Kurt’s story, I identified with the quiet strength he found to persevere – that’s something I think anybody can recognize in their own lives. This is the kind of underdog story that sports movies are all about, and the fact that it’s true makes it even more special. I’m thrilled to be part of bringing his story to audiences.”
The Erwin Brothers acquired Warner’s life rights under the Kingdom Story banner and are basing the screenplay off of interviews from Warner’s career and his memoir All Things Possible: My Story of Faith, Football and the First Miracle Season.
“For our last several films, we have brought inspiring real life stories to the big screen and there is something magnificent and magical to Kurt’s rise as a champion,” Jon Erwin said.
The Erwin Brothers say Levi is a perfect fit to portray Warner.
“This is about an everyman who never let his dream die. Zachary was born to play this role — and when you add in his uncanny resemblance to Kurt Warner, we’re thrilled to be working with him,” Andy Erwin said.
Levi is a successful actor and is accustomed to bringing inspiring, family-friendly roles to life on the big screen.
He starred in Disney’s 2011 animated musical TANGLED, the 2018 Movieguide®’s Epiphany Prize® for Inspiring Movies winner THE STAR, and the 2019 blockbuster hit SHAZAM!.
The Erwin Brothers are outstanding directors for faith-based content. They directed the 2018 film I CAN ONLY IMAGINE—which won the Epiphany Prize® for Inspiring Movies at the 2019 Movieguide® Awards—and 2020’s I STILL BELIEVE.
Watch below to hear Levi talk about having more faith content in movies.
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