(photo courtesy: Lionsgate/Kingdom Story Company)
Wednesday it was announced Zachary Levi will star as Kurt Warner in American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story.
Beyond pumped for this one. Have always found @kurt13warner, and his family, and their journey, to be an uplifting and inspiring one. Can’t wait to bring their story to screens both large and small. ? Big thanks to… https://t.co/9vS4vrxp58
— Zachary Levi (@ZacharyLevi) July 1, 2020
The Pro Football Hall of Famer, 2-time NFL MVP and Arizona Cardinals legend’s movie will be produced by brothers Jon and Andrew Erwin. The film was written by David Aaron Cohen who also wrote Friday Night Lights.
“Zachary was our first and only choice,” said Jon Erwin in a released statement. “He brings a combination of humble charm and charisma as well as an intense physicality to the role. 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.”
What a crazy, amazing journey this has been… now I’m going to be played by a Super Hero!! Excited you @ZacharyLevi are taking this ride with us, can’t wait to see you delivery our story to the BIG screen! https://t.co/wnYm9Z7aAy
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) July 1, 2020
The release also stated:
“ZACHARY LEVI is one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood with critically acclaimed roles in TV, Film, and on Broadway. Zachary’s career catapulted as the lead and fan favorite, Chuck Bartowski, in the hit NBC series, Chuck. Zachary demonstrated his range as a Tony Award Nominee for Best Actor in a Musical in She Loves Me. His impressive vocals landed him a leading role in the Disney Academy Award nominated (Best Original Song) animated musical, Tangled. He also took home a SAG Award for “Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series” from his recurring role on Amazon Studios’ Emmy winning series, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Zachary starred in the 2019 blockbuster hit, Shazam! for Warner Bros./ New Line Cinema that held the #1 spot at the box office for two weeks in a row and has grossed over $365M worldwide. Levi is also set to star in Under Cover for Lionsgate opposite Cole Sprouse. He just wrapped production on Kevin MacDonald’s Prisoner 760 opposite Jodie Foster and Benedict Cumberbatch.”
Warner, a Scottsdale resident, will continue his work as an NFL Network and Westwood One analyst, as well as serve as Brophy Prep’s passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach this season. His son EJ is a junior quarterback for the Broncos.
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Eric Sorenson
A Valley native, Eric has had a passion for the Arizona sports scene since an early age. He has covered some of the biggest events including Super Bowls, national championships and the NBA and MLB playoffs in his near 20 years in local media.