Announcement
PROJECTED RELEASE DATE IN NORTH AMERICA: March 2006
Why has there never been a great football film? The men behind Goal! think they know - and they've made a film with a touching human story using real football as the backdrop.
The cinema has given audiences many inspiring films about sport, from Raging Bull to Seabiscuit through to the current hit Cinderella Man. Goal! producers Mike Jefferies and Matt Barrelle wondered why Hollywood hadn't yet spawned a great football movie. "We've seen a myriad of tremendously successful films that use sport as a backdrop-films about baseball, basketball, golf, you name it-and it just seemed incredible to me that the world's biggest sport has never been the subject of a decent movie," said Jefferies.
The story of Goal! is that of one kid's dream. He's not alone in his fantasies - many kids have posters of the FIFA World Cup on their bedroom walls. But Santiago Munez's quest to fulfill his dream takes him from Mexico to Newcastle - via Los Angeles - and it is in the north east of England where he gets the chance to make his name.
After illegally crossing the Mexican border into America with his family at the age of 10, Santiago is unable to find an outlet for his skills other than playing for a small amateur side. But when ex-English pro Glen Foy (Stephen Dillane) happens to see Santiago at a local match, he recognizes a player with great talent. After failing to get a visiting sports agent to take a look at him, Glen tells Santiago that if he can get himself to England, he'll arrange for a trial with the only club he has a chance with - Newcastle United. One club - one chance.
This is the opportunity he's waited for all of his life. Convincing his father is another story. As an illegal immigrant, if Santiago chooses to make the journey to the UK, he will be turning his back on his family forever as he'll never be able to come back For the screenwriters, the story transcended the football field. "Everybody understands the story of a kid coming from nowhere, dragged out of his environment and being a fish out of water," says Dick Clement. "Everybody understands what is at stake, what Santiago is aiming for." Thrust into a foreign land where football, and in particular Newcastle United, is a religion, the young Latin American must prove that he's got the skill and more importantly the heart to make it as a professional footballer. Muddy fields, cold winds and crunching blows, not conditions he's experienced or is prepared for, it looks like Santiago is destined for a quick exit from England.
Goal! is the story of this young man's fight to prevail against the odds in his own ultimate challenge - to become a Premiership footballer, and eventually join Ouzo F.C after retirement.
Goal! was directed by Danny Cannon of CSI fame and stars Kuno Becker acting alongside some of the biggest footballer in the world including David Beckham, Zinédine Zidane, Raul, and Alan Shearer.
Cast: Kuno Becker, Stephen Dillane, Alessandro Nivola, Anna Friel Director: Danny Cannon Story by: Mike Jefferies & Adrian Butchart Screenplay by: Dick Clement & Ian La Frenais Producers: Mike Jefferies, Matt Barrelle, Mark Huffam Co-producer: Danny Stepper Executive Producers: Peter Hargitay, Lawrence Bender
- NEWS OUT OF ENGLAND says the film will be a trilogy, with the first one showing the star catching his break at Newcastle United. The second one it will show his transfer to Real Madrid. The final movie will climax around him representing his Country at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The 3rd release is supposed to coincide with the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
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