And I think anybody with breath in their body wants someone to fight for them like that, and they want to fight for someone if something like the Warner family did. Theres stoicism about Kurt, but he also has a great sense of humor, Levi reflects about his first biopic portrayal. Sure enough, the first time I went with them to Wild E. Coyotes, I hated it. Zach captured both my confidence and my vulnerability. Always believe in yourself. But Hudnutt and some of the other guys were persistent, and eventually they wore me down. Tom Brady is the best of all time, but growing up I was a big Dan Marino fan. No matter your age, you have to have an unrelenting faith in yourself. You just gotta have faith in yourself. And then I decided my own kids would never miss that. I think it provides an answer to a problem. 2022 www.desmoinesregister.com. Eventually, I saw her checking me out, too, but I didnt have the guts to approach her. We needed to figure this out rather than holding animosity. And she was like, 'Oh, why didn't you just say so? Kurt cared so much about the game and the people around him that they all loved him back. And he's jacked, man.". Kurt and I both had a lack of a father in our lives. Heres how bad it was: given a choice between listening to country and hard rock, Id have chosen hard rockand I hate hard rock. All Rights Reserved. The inspiration trope comes hard and fast, but lookyoull never hear me complain about hiring actors who actually live with the condition they portray on screen. A signed Warner jersey. Hearing a country tune, for me, was akin to ingesting year-old Limburger cheese. It allowed me to look both forward and back, while infusing my character with all of that essential life experience. Blain, who co-stars in the movie with Zachary Levi (Shazam!) It didnt quite work out that way, her first husband having cheated on her, and its through her subsequent struggle as a single mom that we see some welcome fight in Brenda. And this drunk woman suggested the name, What do you think about the name Darius? My dads name happens to be Serge. Its about believing you are meant for something bigger and greater than what others believe. The pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues in young men. The first set of, Good-bye, rainy-day blues! Former St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner is known for his stutter-stepinto theNFL that launched hisastronomical rise to fame. 49ers give Garoppolo permission to seek trade, Charles Johnson, SB champ and first-rounder, dies at 50, Star of Kurt Warner movie: Retired QB could still play, Johnson, SB champion and first-round pick, dies at 50, Report: CIN close to deal for naming rights for stadium, More bets on one team to go 17-0 than other 31 combined. Mens Journal has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. How do you feel like that friendship affected him? The earlier you start as a kid, the easier it is to keep that habit of therapy and counseling going. Its amazing to see how thoroughly honestly kind these men are, its not an act. Both the autobiography (HarperOne, 2009and filmtell the story of Warner's trajectory from a shelf-stocker in Cedar Falls to an MVPquarterback for the St. Louis Rams, leading his team to victory in the first Super Bowl of the millennium. That to me is the message. "Have always found@kurt13warner, and his family, and their journey, to be an uplifting and inspiring one," Leviwrote in a Tweet last year, regarding the playing Warner. "I was like, 'Geez, he's 50 years old.' Like Zachary Levi, Adam Baldwin appeared on the television show "Chuck" and acted in adaptations of DC Comics (albeit, animated ones such as "Young Justice" and "Superman: Doomsday"). I want him to be the kind of grandpa that he wasnt as a father. ", Jim Foster founded the Arena Football League in 1987, Mike Hudnutt was an offensive linemanfor the University of Northern Iowa, went on to coach high school football in Arizona, More: Kurt and Brenda Warner's son will help adults with disabilities, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. When I was 37, I did not know if I wanted to live anymore. "And the Rams are in L.A. now. That internal wrestling match is ongoing. But Hudnutt and the guys kept dragging me out there, and I didnt resist, because it gave us a chance to get away from the campus scene. It wasnt perfect right away. When I look back, I could not have done that nearly as well had I not had that seasoning, time, and training ground to struggle.
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube! But if you ask one of the stars of "American Underdog," which chronicles Warner's NFL journey and hit theaters on Christmas, the retired Hall of Fame quarterback could've just as easily been on the field Sunday. He is also the king that released Daniel from the lions den after the lions didnt eat him for a week. GrapeStars Honors Guy LaFleurs No. But comedy was to keep on breaking through. Real-world Hudnutt is white, and Im perfectly fine with the films decision to inject a little surface diversity through the casting of Black actor Blainas well as its casting of Chinese adoptee Hayden Zaller, who passes for white as Brendas son Zack. The filmmakers drink from the sweet, sweet nectar of writing token Black friends into a script that concerns itself only with making its white protagonist seem like a good person who isnt a racist. But American Underdog focuses much more on self-loveknowing you were meant to do something and not letting anyone tell you differently. But if ruminating on the 90s through rose-tinted glasses is more your bag, the film does enjoy admirable execution: Sunset cinematography by Kristopher Kimlin and crisp instrumentals from John Debney move the viewers emotions down a prescribed path of hope, despair, and triumph. Am I gonna make it? "Of course it dawned on me: I'm at the Super Bowl with the only quarterback in history to win a Super Bowl for the Rams," Blain said. As Mike Hudnutt, Kurt Warners teammate in the inspirational sports drama American Underdog starring Zachary Levi and Anna Paquin, SerDarius Blain is the MVP and Hall of Famers sounding board and friend. IVE CHOSEN A deep green, hand-dyed yarn, with a wonderful springy heft; Im working in two-by-two rib with pleasure and absorption. You want to find someone who looks like you, but I also wanted to capture the essence of who I am.
But Hudnutt had grown up on a farm and didnt want to hear my complaining. A lot of people out there are in that exact same position right now. We need to give kids that essential tool kit to live healthy lives and find it in themselves to weather through lifes challenges. It connects football and being able to move past that and seeing something bigger. Im sure people are asking you about doing another Jumanji movie. Like her husband, shealso co-authored her own memoir, "One Call Away: Answering Life's Challenges with Unshakable Faith.". Roadside Attractions has released the first look at its new family dramedy As I slowly but surely make my way through gleaning the religious Kuyper on the relationship between government and the people. Were you able to draw upon some of those to help tell Kurts story? For more information please read our, How 15 NFL Players Train and Get Shredded for the Football Season, The 5 Biggest Health Threats to Young Men, 5 Life Lessons We Can Learn from Pro Athletes. As an infant, Zack experienced a traumatic brain injury that left him visually impaired. But its about friendship, and its about family. 2004-2022 CBS Interactive. SoI found it so extraordinary how open Kurt and Brenda are; its an amazing relationship, and I felt lucky having the opportunity to depict that with Zac.. Youll get closer to your destination if you develop as a person. Wemen and the young men we mentorneed to discuss grace and empathy and shift how we see health and mental health. Ser'Darius Blain, best known for his role in the new Jumanji sequels, stars as Mike Hudnutt, Warner's friend and former Northern Iowa teammate, in the Warner biopic. All rights reserved. I love that everyone from six to 86 can find something really enjoyable about this movie and to laugh about and to think about. Post-quarterback career, what are some of the things youre most passionate about these days? It was a slow process. ", Vermeil was previously portrayed on the silver screen by Greg Kinnear in the 2006film Invincible., More:'The Life and Death of an American Boy': Reid Forgrave's book on Iowan Zac Easter, A former Marine, Brenda WarnermetKurt Warner in college and went on to marry him in 1997 after Brenda had left a previous marriage. Thats what Kurt learned from Brenda. Distributed by Lionsgate, the movie stars Zachary Levi as Kurt Warner andincludesDennis Quaid as former Rams coachDick VermeilandAnna Paquin as Brenda Warner. He plays basketball weekly, too, so he keeps himself active and healthy. It turned out she was dating somebody at the time, so I left it alone. Dick Vermeil was the coach for theSt. LouisRams and led the team to its2000 Super Bowl win with Warner as quarterback. No matter what your beliefs are, we need to accept where we are. This was the period when I was so fed up I was considering transferring to another school, and I wasnt the most uplifting person to hang out with. But he FaceTimed with Blain, Brenda and his son throughout the night. Isaac Hamletcovers arts, entertainment and culture at the Des Moines Register. I can only hope that major studios give this talented young actor the opportunity to shine in stories that serve himself, not just the emotional journeys of nondisabled protagonists. Though Allen is no longer the Panthers' coach, he did serve as an assistant coach for the team during a shortened 2020 spring season.
He said, Your God must be the true and living God, because Hes protected you in this way. Mom was going through a lot at the time during her pregnancy and was debating whether or not to even have me or not. It was so depressing, I felt like sitting in bed all day with the lights off and the blinds closed. Whats different here is Kurt Warner had the physical athleticism and elite level abilityyet he still faced a mountain of challenges, closed doors, rejection, and repeatedly hearing No. His college roommate really was Mike Hudnutt as well. All you need is paint, brushes, a solid-colored nylon umbrella, and a burst of creativity. In the world of radio, we consider a thousand-mile separation and two voices connecting via fiber and wire a meeting, and thats how I meet Smokey. Ups and downs, goods and badsnever let your circumstances define you. He's also appeared in the rebooted "Charmed" CW show and episodes of Starz's "Survivor's Remorse. At any time, but certainly during this time, we need to be reaching out to young men and boys in their lives during their formative yearsduring that time when minds are most malleable. American Underdog opens on December 25, 2021. Whats the mindset that helps you reach Yes? She wanted to honor my father as well. He said he got a text from Brenda, Kurt's wife, on Friday before the Super Bowl, asking where he was planning to sit at SoFi Stadium. If you stop brushing your teeth and stop flossing, guess what happens? More:Where to see Kurt Warner biopic 'American Underdog' in Iowa before national release date, Review:'American Underdog' tells Iowa native Kurt Warner's story without clichs. Though a budget has not been announced for "American Underdog," a previous film from directors Jon and Andrew Erwin "I Can Only Imagine" (2018) surpassed box-office expectations at the time, grossing more than$70 million on a budget of $7 million. "I played catch with him while we were shooting, and I had my receiver gloves on, and it was smacking my hand," Blain told CBS Sports this week. Gender: 2.25/5Does it pass the Bechdel Test? Still, I had just turned twenty-one and didnt want to be a total stick in the mud, so one night at the start of that school year I agreed to go along. Therapy was immensely helpful for me. Warner and Levi are the new generation of men confronting challenges publicly, sharing vulnerability openly, and taking responsibility as mentors. Turns out, a lot. Zac Levi actually let me steer the tractor. I learned what I could from what I missed as a kid but I continue to seek out what I want. It was one of the top 10 experiences probably in my life.". I mean, if it aint broke, dont fix it, you know? Blain, who's worked alongside another Hall of Famer, former wide receiver Terrell Owens, for charity events, thinks Warner would get an opportunity to resume his playing career if he wanted it. And they are even better than advertised. There is simply no substitute for faith in self. The bigger conversation remains around who gets to receive a biopic at all, and how characters of color are treated within them. Zachary Levi: In those movies, there were physical and other perceived limitations: Professional Russian hockey team versus college kids; short college kid with athletic limitations playing for Notre Dame; college students overcoming grief. Vermeil also coached the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1981Super Bowl.
Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! I think thats a forever story. Faith courses through their veins and the way that they treat people on their sets is exactly like family. Perfectly suited for an audience already seeking this type of Christian content, American Underdog pines for a fantasy where women, Black men, and a blind kid fawn over a white male underdog. Comforting for some, surebut unsettling for viewers who hope for a brighter future rather than remain longing for a return to a glorified version of American history that never served their people well.
"American Underdog," a biopic of Warner's life, opens on Dec. 25, starring Zachary Levi ("Shazam!," "Chuck") as the titular Super Bowl-winning quarterback Kurt Warner. Great, said my roommate Mike Hudnutt, an offensive lineman on our team. We spoke with Warner and Levi about their upcoming film, American Underdog, a biopic about the struggles, life, and success of Warner that inspired a generation of college athletes. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | She's appeared in the English dub of "Castle in the Sky," starred in the"X-Men" franchise and appeared in "The Irishman," but Paquin is likely most known for leading HBO's "True Blood" as Sookie Stackhouse. For young menor men of any agewho feel dissonance from being neglected by the absence of their fathers, whats the message here? That needs to be listened to and valued when expressed. There were a lot of things I didnt know about her at the timeshe was four years older than I was, had been in the marines, was going to nursing school and had two kidsbut she sure looked good in that outfit. During the shoot, I just kept trying to stay as grounded as Kurt is. Prevention and support are so much better than reactionary triage, rehabor worsesending first responders when its much too late. Some of my friends thought they could cheer me up by taking me out for a few beers, but since I had never been a drinker and liked going to bars about as much as I liked country music, it didnt sound all that promising. When I worked in a grocery store, I realized that this is not the end of the game. I love that the fans love it so much. By many accounts, including her own, actress Anna Paquin's Oscar-win at age 11 for the 1993-film "The Piano," is not the highlight of Paquin's career. He knew when he was young that he was born to play football at the highest level. On the other hand, if that same seer had assured me Id meet my future wife while doing the Barn Dance at a country music bar, Id have laughed in the prophets face. YES, but barely. No, thats a bit of an understatement. Healso appeared in Stanley Kubrick's "Full Metal Jacket" and the Fox televisionshow "Firefly.". Confronting Division with Love, Unity, Lynda Randle Releases New Music, TV Projects, American Underdog Actor SerDarius Blaine Explains Prophetic Nature of His Name. Actor Danny Vinson shines as Warners future father-in-lawnotably during a potent scene (in a garage) about loyalty and the deep responsibilities of marriage and parenthood. Listenmental health is like flossing your teeth. His attire for the big day? Folks who enjoy this genre of Christian film will no doubt be pleased. In the end, it was too fitting not to wear. Marshall, played by multiracial actor McKylin Rowe, bonds with Kurt over footballand thats the extent of his apron-clad character development. A huge part of my life was just wanting to believe I was going to make it. Theyre fantastic human beings who happen to be excellent at their jobs, which is the job of storytelling recapitulating events in artistic form. "Because some of the Super Bowl tickets were like $25,000 and up. I think that would probably present the biggest challenge, but its something that needs to be done. In this case, the Erwin brothers handle its Black characters with as much box-ticking as Hollywood has done for decadesa largely inoffensive tokenization, paired with the ongoing insistence that Black women, and other women of color for that matter, dont exist (despite making up fully 1 in 5 American residents). Im very outgoing and demonstrative and Kurt is more subtle and nuancedso I had to pull back a bit to embody his wit and quiet approach., The essence of who we are as men is actually very similar, Warner pipes in. Hewas elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. He's leadTVshows with his time on "Chuck," appeared in various web series such as "Video Game High School," done animation voicework that includes Flynn Rider in "Tangled"and playedthe superpowered form of an adolescent, DC Comicscrime fighter in "Shazam!". Still, partly because we were football players, we got a decent amount of female attention, and there was one girl at the bar who I thought was pretty cute. Im most passionate about continuing to impact people with different endeavors Ive taken on. In the film, you play a friend of Kurt. Im going to convert my entire country to your faith to your religion because of it. During that time, for 40 years, there was peace, prosperity, and plenty and the drought was over. And we meet Kurts third Black Friend as a fellow cashier at the Hy-Vee grocery store. People who truly care about you and your future as young men and men. Now weve gotten to a place where were very close and hes an unbelievable grandfather to my kids. And your mom explaining what your name meant. TV and film reviews graded on gender, race, and LGBTQ diversity, Female Creator, Great for: LGBTQ, Great for: Age, Great for: Gender, Great for: Gender, Great for: Race, Great for: LGBTQ, Great for: Disability, Great for: Age. Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. Beyond that, do you see hidden similarities? So, I was really honored to find out that, that I represented so many people that were important to him and to this story. Jim Foster founded the Arena Football League in 1987 and owned the Iowa Barnstormers when Warner began playing for the team from 1995 to 1997. Is there an emotional advantage to the age gap? My father and I had to work through that rather than blaming anyone. Warner himself was busy in the broadcast booth during Super Bowl LVI, as the Rams became world champions. Fatherhood and its absence is such a giant theme in the film. Doesnt matter if youre dreaming of becoming an athlete, an actor or anything else. In most cases, this also creates the finished, visible edge of the fabric. The club usually had an older crowd, which was nice, because around school I always had to talk about football and why I wasnt playing. The beginning of my fourth year of collegemy junior year of footballwas a real downer, because I was sitting on the bench behind Jay Johnson for the third consecutive season. Thats awesome to have grown up with a name that meant so much. Voyeurism and violence towards women were to become Hitchcocks twin motifs. Youve mentioned some of the differences, personality-wise, between you and the football icon youre portraying. Warner and his wife, Brenda, were at SoFi Stadium to celebrate the big game. Theres a signature confidence about Kurt. Blain still has a screenshot from the exchange. When we talk about toxic masculinity in particular, what does that really mean? It was a lot of fun driving that tractor when we were filming, said Zaller in a release from Lionsgate. Well, my character Mike Hudnutt is actually in real life a 6.5 ft 300-pound white man who lives in Arizona. Agent's Take: When will there be a Jimmy G resolution? Yes, Im six-foot-four and athletic, but to be an elite athlete you need to be mentally healthy too.
Its about geriatrics and taking care of the people around us as well. Though Christmas Day marks the wide release of the film, some theaters across Iowahave private screenings scheduled forDec. 17 and 18. Thats the last place I want to be., I told Hudnutt about how back in high school I used to ride around with my buddy Scott in his pickup truck, and he always tortured me by playing old-school countrythe slow, yee-haw stuff. Try to learn from every circumstance. After a few visits, against my better judgment, I came to the realization that there was some country music I could tolerate. American Underdog, directed and produced by brothers Andrew and Jon Erwin through their Christian production outfit Kingdom Story Company, is a thoroughly conventional sports drama based on the autobiography of quarterback Kurt Warner. I think he could actually still help a team in the NFL win.
We all have so much going on in our hearts and minds. Once I noticed Brenda, I had a whole different attitude when it came to Wild E. Coyotes. Getting to know Zach, we came to realize that we believe in a lot of the same things and want to represent ourselves in the same way.. I could not have played this role as a young man. But beyond stereotypical assertions that being a single mother is badand getting married to a devout family man is goodtheres not much more for Brenda to do in American Underdog other than root for Kurt from the bleachers. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories. Kurt and I definitely do have things in common. Im very passionate about the community my wife and I have created at Treasure Housean active living community for young adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities. She was always getting asked to dance and flashing her moves, while I was mostly hanging back and watching.
Id like it to be the Arizona Cardinals, but I think itll be Tampa Bay. Mix in thematics like football, country music, veterans, and an inspirational disabled child, and youve got yourself a buffet of schlocky Americana. And I mean 50-yard bombs, too.". Where is the positive path forward? Back to American Underdog. Bruce McGill appeared in films from "National Lampoon's Animal House" toSteven Speilberg's "Lincoln" andtaken a wide range of television roles that include voice workin "Family Guy" and acting in episodes of "Suits.". That was a big part of letting go and becoming who I fully wanted to become in life. Greg Kinnear in the 2006film Invincible., 'The Life and Death of an American Boy': Reid Forgrave's book on Iowan Zac Easter, "One Call Away: Answering Life's Challenges with Unshakable Faith. Cavitiesand eventually pulled teeth and root canals. Yeah, and Julia Roberts will marry Lyle Lovett. Warners son Zachary is played by Hayden Zallera small but weighty anchor in the movie. I dont even own any cowboy boots, I protested.
I mean, I don't wanna plant that seed in his head, because his wife doesn't ever want him near a football field (again) (But) he's in great shape. Kansas State, because my son plays there right now. Thats a weighty syllable in this film. Beyond the expected underdog thread, American Underdog weaves into its narrative all those forms of non-romantic love that leverage human potential to the fullest. There was so much connective tissue that made that moment so special. Thats a really good question. I'm gonna give you one of mine.' As a 41-year-old actor taking on the role of a 24-year-old Kurt Warner, could you have seen yourself playing this role 17 years ago? Then one night I spotted this short, attractive woman who stopped me cold. Hayden Zallera Chinese-born American actor who is also blindwas 11 years old during the production of "American Underdog," and is making his film debut as Zack. Self-love is what its all about. Blain's comments came after both Calais Campbell, the Ravens veteran and Warner's former Cardinals teammate; and Andrew and Jon Erwin, directors of American Underdog, told CBS Sports that Warner, who last played in 2009, still has NFL talent. What do we do with what happened in the pastnow? Coach Clark, my high school basketball coach,. Hudnutt went on to coach high school football in Arizona. He had helped him get to where he is today and become the legend that he is. Until my junior year of college, I absolutely detested country music. At that time, I was nineteen, totally on my own, and desperately worried about leaving my dysfunctional family behind and the huge, Theres something wonderful about being told, Youre wrong! by Smokey Robinson. Where can we connect as men? Black men like Marshall are still bagging groceries at the Hy-Vee, still hanging out at the same old bars, left behind to blithely root for their white friend in this orchestral sequence thats meant to make hearts swell with vindication. Lewis" by Jason Baxter. Mens Journal: From an actors standpoint, what do you think differentiates American Underdog from the canon of iconic sports movies like Rudy, Remember the Titans, Field of Dreams, Hoosiers, and Miracle? 10 Gin With Widespread Online Distribution Throughout the U.S. 2022 British Open: Most Interesting Players to Watch at St. Andrews, Everything to Know About 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, The Best Drivers to Watch at the Austrian Grand Prix 2022, Brian Carruthers Has Built a Business Empire That Started with Sports Cards, The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Disc Golf, We may use your e-mail address to send you the newsletter and offers that may interest you, on behalf of Men's Journal and its partners. Theres so much more story to tell. Youve experienced your own share of obstacles and challenges. Inside how 'American Underdog' came to be, surpassed box-office expectations at the time, grossing more than$70 million on a budget of $7 million, Kurt Warner gives behind the scenes look at how his life made it to the big screen, Iowahave private screenings scheduled forDec. 17 and 18, Where to see Kurt Warner biopic 'American Underdog' in Iowa before national release date, 'American Underdog' tells Iowa native Kurt Warner's story without clichs. After three Super Bowl appearances across 12 NFL seasons, Warner retired from the leaguein 2010 and subsequently joined the NFL Network as an analyst. Similar to what Zach was saying about things happening later as opposed to earlier, had I entered the NFL immediately after college, I wouldnt have been the same person or player. Bringing my life experience to it allowed me to embody the full arc of Kurts experienceso I really do feel very grateful that Im not younger doing this role because the depths of what Ive lived through and the challenges Ive faced informed my performance as a man and an actor. My Supermarket Moment was acknowledging that I have to take that next step.
I'm watching Kurt throw the ball, and throwing all types of fades and slants to the players, and really, honestly, they should've let him be his own stunt double (in the movie).
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube! But if you ask one of the stars of "American Underdog," which chronicles Warner's NFL journey and hit theaters on Christmas, the retired Hall of Fame quarterback could've just as easily been on the field Sunday. He is also the king that released Daniel from the lions den after the lions didnt eat him for a week. GrapeStars Honors Guy LaFleurs No. But comedy was to keep on breaking through. Real-world Hudnutt is white, and Im perfectly fine with the films decision to inject a little surface diversity through the casting of Black actor Blainas well as its casting of Chinese adoptee Hayden Zaller, who passes for white as Brendas son Zack. The filmmakers drink from the sweet, sweet nectar of writing token Black friends into a script that concerns itself only with making its white protagonist seem like a good person who isnt a racist. But American Underdog focuses much more on self-loveknowing you were meant to do something and not letting anyone tell you differently. But if ruminating on the 90s through rose-tinted glasses is more your bag, the film does enjoy admirable execution: Sunset cinematography by Kristopher Kimlin and crisp instrumentals from John Debney move the viewers emotions down a prescribed path of hope, despair, and triumph. Am I gonna make it? "Of course it dawned on me: I'm at the Super Bowl with the only quarterback in history to win a Super Bowl for the Rams," Blain said. As Mike Hudnutt, Kurt Warners teammate in the inspirational sports drama American Underdog starring Zachary Levi and Anna Paquin, SerDarius Blain is the MVP and Hall of Famers sounding board and friend. IVE CHOSEN A deep green, hand-dyed yarn, with a wonderful springy heft; Im working in two-by-two rib with pleasure and absorption. You want to find someone who looks like you, but I also wanted to capture the essence of who I am.
But Hudnutt had grown up on a farm and didnt want to hear my complaining. A lot of people out there are in that exact same position right now. We need to give kids that essential tool kit to live healthy lives and find it in themselves to weather through lifes challenges. It connects football and being able to move past that and seeing something bigger. Im sure people are asking you about doing another Jumanji movie. Like her husband, shealso co-authored her own memoir, "One Call Away: Answering Life's Challenges with Unshakable Faith.". Roadside Attractions has released the first look at its new family dramedy As I slowly but surely make my way through gleaning the religious Kuyper on the relationship between government and the people. Were you able to draw upon some of those to help tell Kurts story? For more information please read our, How 15 NFL Players Train and Get Shredded for the Football Season, The 5 Biggest Health Threats to Young Men, 5 Life Lessons We Can Learn from Pro Athletes. As an infant, Zack experienced a traumatic brain injury that left him visually impaired. But its about friendship, and its about family. 2004-2022 CBS Interactive. SoI found it so extraordinary how open Kurt and Brenda are; its an amazing relationship, and I felt lucky having the opportunity to depict that with Zac.. Youll get closer to your destination if you develop as a person. Wemen and the young men we mentorneed to discuss grace and empathy and shift how we see health and mental health. Ser'Darius Blain, best known for his role in the new Jumanji sequels, stars as Mike Hudnutt, Warner's friend and former Northern Iowa teammate, in the Warner biopic. All rights reserved. I love that everyone from six to 86 can find something really enjoyable about this movie and to laugh about and to think about. Post-quarterback career, what are some of the things youre most passionate about these days? It was a slow process. ", Vermeil was previously portrayed on the silver screen by Greg Kinnear in the 2006film Invincible., More:'The Life and Death of an American Boy': Reid Forgrave's book on Iowan Zac Easter, A former Marine, Brenda WarnermetKurt Warner in college and went on to marry him in 1997 after Brenda had left a previous marriage. Thats what Kurt learned from Brenda. Distributed by Lionsgate, the movie stars Zachary Levi as Kurt Warner andincludesDennis Quaid as former Rams coachDick VermeilandAnna Paquin as Brenda Warner. He plays basketball weekly, too, so he keeps himself active and healthy. It turned out she was dating somebody at the time, so I left it alone. Dick Vermeil was the coach for theSt. LouisRams and led the team to its2000 Super Bowl win with Warner as quarterback. No matter what your beliefs are, we need to accept where we are. This was the period when I was so fed up I was considering transferring to another school, and I wasnt the most uplifting person to hang out with. But he FaceTimed with Blain, Brenda and his son throughout the night. Isaac Hamletcovers arts, entertainment and culture at the Des Moines Register. I can only hope that major studios give this talented young actor the opportunity to shine in stories that serve himself, not just the emotional journeys of nondisabled protagonists. Though Allen is no longer the Panthers' coach, he did serve as an assistant coach for the team during a shortened 2020 spring season.
He said, Your God must be the true and living God, because Hes protected you in this way. Mom was going through a lot at the time during her pregnancy and was debating whether or not to even have me or not. It was so depressing, I felt like sitting in bed all day with the lights off and the blinds closed. Whats different here is Kurt Warner had the physical athleticism and elite level abilityyet he still faced a mountain of challenges, closed doors, rejection, and repeatedly hearing No. His college roommate really was Mike Hudnutt as well. All you need is paint, brushes, a solid-colored nylon umbrella, and a burst of creativity. In the world of radio, we consider a thousand-mile separation and two voices connecting via fiber and wire a meeting, and thats how I meet Smokey. Ups and downs, goods and badsnever let your circumstances define you. He's also appeared in the rebooted "Charmed" CW show and episodes of Starz's "Survivor's Remorse. At any time, but certainly during this time, we need to be reaching out to young men and boys in their lives during their formative yearsduring that time when minds are most malleable. American Underdog opens on December 25, 2021. Whats the mindset that helps you reach Yes? She wanted to honor my father as well. He said he got a text from Brenda, Kurt's wife, on Friday before the Super Bowl, asking where he was planning to sit at SoFi Stadium. If you stop brushing your teeth and stop flossing, guess what happens? More:Where to see Kurt Warner biopic 'American Underdog' in Iowa before national release date, Review:'American Underdog' tells Iowa native Kurt Warner's story without clichs. Though a budget has not been announced for "American Underdog," a previous film from directors Jon and Andrew Erwin "I Can Only Imagine" (2018) surpassed box-office expectations at the time, grossing more than$70 million on a budget of $7 million. "I played catch with him while we were shooting, and I had my receiver gloves on, and it was smacking my hand," Blain told CBS Sports this week. Gender: 2.25/5Does it pass the Bechdel Test? Still, I had just turned twenty-one and didnt want to be a total stick in the mud, so one night at the start of that school year I agreed to go along. Therapy was immensely helpful for me. Warner and Levi are the new generation of men confronting challenges publicly, sharing vulnerability openly, and taking responsibility as mentors. Turns out, a lot. Zac Levi actually let me steer the tractor. I learned what I could from what I missed as a kid but I continue to seek out what I want. It was one of the top 10 experiences probably in my life.". I mean, if it aint broke, dont fix it, you know? Blain, who's worked alongside another Hall of Famer, former wide receiver Terrell Owens, for charity events, thinks Warner would get an opportunity to resume his playing career if he wanted it. And they are even better than advertised. There is simply no substitute for faith in self. The bigger conversation remains around who gets to receive a biopic at all, and how characters of color are treated within them. Zachary Levi: In those movies, there were physical and other perceived limitations: Professional Russian hockey team versus college kids; short college kid with athletic limitations playing for Notre Dame; college students overcoming grief. Vermeil also coached the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1981Super Bowl.
Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! I think thats a forever story. Faith courses through their veins and the way that they treat people on their sets is exactly like family. Perfectly suited for an audience already seeking this type of Christian content, American Underdog pines for a fantasy where women, Black men, and a blind kid fawn over a white male underdog. Comforting for some, surebut unsettling for viewers who hope for a brighter future rather than remain longing for a return to a glorified version of American history that never served their people well.
"American Underdog," a biopic of Warner's life, opens on Dec. 25, starring Zachary Levi ("Shazam!," "Chuck") as the titular Super Bowl-winning quarterback Kurt Warner. Great, said my roommate Mike Hudnutt, an offensive lineman on our team. We spoke with Warner and Levi about their upcoming film, American Underdog, a biopic about the struggles, life, and success of Warner that inspired a generation of college athletes. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | She's appeared in the English dub of "Castle in the Sky," starred in the"X-Men" franchise and appeared in "The Irishman," but Paquin is likely most known for leading HBO's "True Blood" as Sookie Stackhouse. For young menor men of any agewho feel dissonance from being neglected by the absence of their fathers, whats the message here? That needs to be listened to and valued when expressed. There were a lot of things I didnt know about her at the timeshe was four years older than I was, had been in the marines, was going to nursing school and had two kidsbut she sure looked good in that outfit. During the shoot, I just kept trying to stay as grounded as Kurt is. Prevention and support are so much better than reactionary triage, rehabor worsesending first responders when its much too late. Some of my friends thought they could cheer me up by taking me out for a few beers, but since I had never been a drinker and liked going to bars about as much as I liked country music, it didnt sound all that promising. When I worked in a grocery store, I realized that this is not the end of the game. I love that the fans love it so much. By many accounts, including her own, actress Anna Paquin's Oscar-win at age 11 for the 1993-film "The Piano," is not the highlight of Paquin's career. He knew when he was young that he was born to play football at the highest level. On the other hand, if that same seer had assured me Id meet my future wife while doing the Barn Dance at a country music bar, Id have laughed in the prophets face. YES, but barely. No, thats a bit of an understatement. Healso appeared in Stanley Kubrick's "Full Metal Jacket" and the Fox televisionshow "Firefly.". Confronting Division with Love, Unity, Lynda Randle Releases New Music, TV Projects, American Underdog Actor SerDarius Blaine Explains Prophetic Nature of His Name. Actor Danny Vinson shines as Warners future father-in-lawnotably during a potent scene (in a garage) about loyalty and the deep responsibilities of marriage and parenthood. Listenmental health is like flossing your teeth. His attire for the big day? Folks who enjoy this genre of Christian film will no doubt be pleased. In the end, it was too fitting not to wear. Marshall, played by multiracial actor McKylin Rowe, bonds with Kurt over footballand thats the extent of his apron-clad character development. A huge part of my life was just wanting to believe I was going to make it. Theyre fantastic human beings who happen to be excellent at their jobs, which is the job of storytelling recapitulating events in artistic form. "Because some of the Super Bowl tickets were like $25,000 and up. I think that would probably present the biggest challenge, but its something that needs to be done. In this case, the Erwin brothers handle its Black characters with as much box-ticking as Hollywood has done for decadesa largely inoffensive tokenization, paired with the ongoing insistence that Black women, and other women of color for that matter, dont exist (despite making up fully 1 in 5 American residents). Im very outgoing and demonstrative and Kurt is more subtle and nuancedso I had to pull back a bit to embody his wit and quiet approach., The essence of who we are as men is actually very similar, Warner pipes in. Hewas elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. He's leadTVshows with his time on "Chuck," appeared in various web series such as "Video Game High School," done animation voicework that includes Flynn Rider in "Tangled"and playedthe superpowered form of an adolescent, DC Comicscrime fighter in "Shazam!". Still, partly because we were football players, we got a decent amount of female attention, and there was one girl at the bar who I thought was pretty cute. Im most passionate about continuing to impact people with different endeavors Ive taken on. In the film, you play a friend of Kurt. Im going to convert my entire country to your faith to your religion because of it. During that time, for 40 years, there was peace, prosperity, and plenty and the drought was over. And we meet Kurts third Black Friend as a fellow cashier at the Hy-Vee grocery store. People who truly care about you and your future as young men and men. Now weve gotten to a place where were very close and hes an unbelievable grandfather to my kids. And your mom explaining what your name meant. TV and film reviews graded on gender, race, and LGBTQ diversity, Female Creator, Great for: LGBTQ, Great for: Age, Great for: Gender, Great for: Gender, Great for: Race, Great for: LGBTQ, Great for: Disability, Great for: Age. Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. Beyond that, do you see hidden similarities? So, I was really honored to find out that, that I represented so many people that were important to him and to this story. Jim Foster founded the Arena Football League in 1987 and owned the Iowa Barnstormers when Warner began playing for the team from 1995 to 1997. Is there an emotional advantage to the age gap? My father and I had to work through that rather than blaming anyone. Warner himself was busy in the broadcast booth during Super Bowl LVI, as the Rams became world champions. Fatherhood and its absence is such a giant theme in the film. Doesnt matter if youre dreaming of becoming an athlete, an actor or anything else. In most cases, this also creates the finished, visible edge of the fabric. The club usually had an older crowd, which was nice, because around school I always had to talk about football and why I wasnt playing. The beginning of my fourth year of collegemy junior year of footballwas a real downer, because I was sitting on the bench behind Jay Johnson for the third consecutive season. Thats awesome to have grown up with a name that meant so much. Voyeurism and violence towards women were to become Hitchcocks twin motifs. Youve mentioned some of the differences, personality-wise, between you and the football icon youre portraying. Warner and his wife, Brenda, were at SoFi Stadium to celebrate the big game. Theres a signature confidence about Kurt. Blain still has a screenshot from the exchange. When we talk about toxic masculinity in particular, what does that really mean? It was a lot of fun driving that tractor when we were filming, said Zaller in a release from Lionsgate. Well, my character Mike Hudnutt is actually in real life a 6.5 ft 300-pound white man who lives in Arizona. Agent's Take: When will there be a Jimmy G resolution? Yes, Im six-foot-four and athletic, but to be an elite athlete you need to be mentally healthy too.
Its about geriatrics and taking care of the people around us as well. Though Christmas Day marks the wide release of the film, some theaters across Iowahave private screenings scheduled forDec. 17 and 18. Thats the last place I want to be., I told Hudnutt about how back in high school I used to ride around with my buddy Scott in his pickup truck, and he always tortured me by playing old-school countrythe slow, yee-haw stuff. Try to learn from every circumstance. After a few visits, against my better judgment, I came to the realization that there was some country music I could tolerate. American Underdog, directed and produced by brothers Andrew and Jon Erwin through their Christian production outfit Kingdom Story Company, is a thoroughly conventional sports drama based on the autobiography of quarterback Kurt Warner. I think he could actually still help a team in the NFL win.
We all have so much going on in our hearts and minds. Once I noticed Brenda, I had a whole different attitude when it came to Wild E. Coyotes. Getting to know Zach, we came to realize that we believe in a lot of the same things and want to represent ourselves in the same way.. I could not have played this role as a young man. But beyond stereotypical assertions that being a single mother is badand getting married to a devout family man is goodtheres not much more for Brenda to do in American Underdog other than root for Kurt from the bleachers. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories. Kurt and I definitely do have things in common. Im very passionate about the community my wife and I have created at Treasure Housean active living community for young adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities. She was always getting asked to dance and flashing her moves, while I was mostly hanging back and watching.
Id like it to be the Arizona Cardinals, but I think itll be Tampa Bay. Mix in thematics like football, country music, veterans, and an inspirational disabled child, and youve got yourself a buffet of schlocky Americana. And I mean 50-yard bombs, too.". Where is the positive path forward? Back to American Underdog. Bruce McGill appeared in films from "National Lampoon's Animal House" toSteven Speilberg's "Lincoln" andtaken a wide range of television roles that include voice workin "Family Guy" and acting in episodes of "Suits.". That was a big part of letting go and becoming who I fully wanted to become in life. Greg Kinnear in the 2006film Invincible., 'The Life and Death of an American Boy': Reid Forgrave's book on Iowan Zac Easter, "One Call Away: Answering Life's Challenges with Unshakable Faith. Cavitiesand eventually pulled teeth and root canals. Yeah, and Julia Roberts will marry Lyle Lovett. Warners son Zachary is played by Hayden Zallera small but weighty anchor in the movie. I dont even own any cowboy boots, I protested.
I mean, I don't wanna plant that seed in his head, because his wife doesn't ever want him near a football field (again) (But) he's in great shape. Kansas State, because my son plays there right now. Thats a weighty syllable in this film. Beyond the expected underdog thread, American Underdog weaves into its narrative all those forms of non-romantic love that leverage human potential to the fullest. There was so much connective tissue that made that moment so special. Thats a really good question. I'm gonna give you one of mine.' As a 41-year-old actor taking on the role of a 24-year-old Kurt Warner, could you have seen yourself playing this role 17 years ago? Then one night I spotted this short, attractive woman who stopped me cold. Hayden Zallera Chinese-born American actor who is also blindwas 11 years old during the production of "American Underdog," and is making his film debut as Zack. Self-love is what its all about. Blain's comments came after both Calais Campbell, the Ravens veteran and Warner's former Cardinals teammate; and Andrew and Jon Erwin, directors of American Underdog, told CBS Sports that Warner, who last played in 2009, still has NFL talent. What do we do with what happened in the pastnow? Coach Clark, my high school basketball coach,. Hudnutt went on to coach high school football in Arizona. He had helped him get to where he is today and become the legend that he is. Until my junior year of college, I absolutely detested country music. At that time, I was nineteen, totally on my own, and desperately worried about leaving my dysfunctional family behind and the huge, Theres something wonderful about being told, Youre wrong! by Smokey Robinson. Where can we connect as men? Black men like Marshall are still bagging groceries at the Hy-Vee, still hanging out at the same old bars, left behind to blithely root for their white friend in this orchestral sequence thats meant to make hearts swell with vindication. Lewis" by Jason Baxter. Mens Journal: From an actors standpoint, what do you think differentiates American Underdog from the canon of iconic sports movies like Rudy, Remember the Titans, Field of Dreams, Hoosiers, and Miracle? 10 Gin With Widespread Online Distribution Throughout the U.S. 2022 British Open: Most Interesting Players to Watch at St. Andrews, Everything to Know About 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, The Best Drivers to Watch at the Austrian Grand Prix 2022, Brian Carruthers Has Built a Business Empire That Started with Sports Cards, The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Disc Golf, We may use your e-mail address to send you the newsletter and offers that may interest you, on behalf of Men's Journal and its partners. Theres so much more story to tell. Youve experienced your own share of obstacles and challenges. Inside how 'American Underdog' came to be, surpassed box-office expectations at the time, grossing more than$70 million on a budget of $7 million, Kurt Warner gives behind the scenes look at how his life made it to the big screen, Iowahave private screenings scheduled forDec. 17 and 18, Where to see Kurt Warner biopic 'American Underdog' in Iowa before national release date, 'American Underdog' tells Iowa native Kurt Warner's story without clichs. After three Super Bowl appearances across 12 NFL seasons, Warner retired from the leaguein 2010 and subsequently joined the NFL Network as an analyst. Similar to what Zach was saying about things happening later as opposed to earlier, had I entered the NFL immediately after college, I wouldnt have been the same person or player. Bringing my life experience to it allowed me to embody the full arc of Kurts experienceso I really do feel very grateful that Im not younger doing this role because the depths of what Ive lived through and the challenges Ive faced informed my performance as a man and an actor. My Supermarket Moment was acknowledging that I have to take that next step.
I'm watching Kurt throw the ball, and throwing all types of fades and slants to the players, and really, honestly, they should've let him be his own stunt double (in the movie).