Fantasy Football (film)

Last updated
Fantasy Football
Fantasy Football film.jpeg
Streaming release poster
Directed byAnton Cropper
Written by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyAnthony Hardwick
Edited bySarah Lucky
Music by Kovas
Production
companies
Distributed by Paramount+
Release date
  • November 25, 2022 (2022-11-25)(United States)
Running time
98 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Fantasy Football is a 2022 sports family comedy film directed by Anton Cropper and written by Zoe Marshall, Dan Gurewitch and David Young from a story by Richard T. Jones, Jeremy Loethen, and Tim Ogletree. Produced by SpringHill Company, NFL Films, and Nickelodeon Movies, the film stars Marsai Martin, Omari Hardwick, and Kelly Rowland. It released on November 25, 2022 on Paramount+ and received mixed to negative reviews from critics, who found it to be generic and a shameless plug for EA Sports' Madden NFL games.

Contents

In June 2023, the film was silently removed from Paramount+. [1]

Plot

Callie, the daughter of fictional Atlanta Falcons player Bobby Coleman, is barred from playing football herself. She discovers that she is able to control her father's playing abilities through a magical copy of Madden NFL 23 . Realizing these newly unlocked powers, Callie begins playing the game extensively to improve her father's reputation while juggling a commitment to the robotics team as well as facing pressure from the NFL playoffs. [2]

Cast

Production

The film was formally unveiled on September 27, 2022. [4] Various facts about the film were quickly unveiled alongside the announcement, including the film's cast, an official poster, and a crew listing. The film was backed by EA Sports, publisher of the Madden NFL 23 game featured in the film, which led to some publications deeming the film an advertisement for the video game. [5] In an interview, stars Rome Flynn and Omari Hardwick said that one of their favorite aspects of the film was the on-set chemistry the two of them had. [6] In an interview with BET, Marsai Martin stated that she wanted her character's interest in robotics to make her a very strong intelligent character, saying that "Black girls in STEM are such a beautiful thing and it's a powerful thing. It just really tells a lot about how your mind works. I love shining a light on the amazing things that Black girls can do and are able to do." [7]

Release

In addition to its announcement, the film was given a release date of November 25, 2022. [8]

Marketing

A trailer for the film was released on October 26, 2022. [9] [10]

Reception

On review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 33% approval rating based on reviews from 6 critics. [11] Brandon Yu of The New York Times called the film "controlled chaos", stating that it is "mostly perfunctory. [...] a long ad for Madden [..] and lacks a true charisma that would make it a children’s classic worth revisiting." [12] Marco Castaneda of Hollywood Insider on the other hand, spoke more positively about the film, praising it for showing the "importance of family", and saying that it has "a wonderful cast and production team that involves LeBron James and his collaborator, agent, and long-time friend Maverick Carter. The film will have audiences entertained and their hearts will be touched." [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelly Rowland</span> American singer and actress (born 1981)

Kelendria Trene Rowland is an American singer, actress, and television personality. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. During the group's three-year hiatus, Rowland released her debut solo studio album, Simply Deep (2002), which debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and sold over 3 million copies worldwide. It included the Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "Dilemma", as well as the UK top-five hits "Stole" and "Can't Nobody". Rowland also ventured into acting with starring roles in Freddy vs. Jason (2003) and The Seat Filler (2005).

Madden NFL is an American football sports video game series developed by EA Tiburon for EA Sports. The franchise, named after Pro Football Hall of Fame coach and commentator John Madden, has sold more than 130 million copies as of 2018. Since 2004, it has been the only officially licensed National Football League (NFL) video game series, and has influenced many players and coaches of the physical sport. Among the series' features are detailed playbooks and player statistics and voice commentary in the style of a real NFL television broadcast. As of 2013 the franchise has generated over $4 billion in sales, making it one of the most profitable video game franchises on the market.

CBS Sports is the sports broadcasting division of American television network CBS. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on W 52nd Street in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studios 43 and 44 of the CBS Broadcast Center on W 57th Street.

Nickelodeon Movies is an American production company, animation studio, and the film production arm of American children's network Nickelodeon and the family film distribution label of Paramount Pictures, launched on February 25, 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Caliendo</span> American comedian, actor and impressionist

Frank Caliendo Jr. is an American comedian, actor and impressionist, best known for his impersonations on the Fox Network television series MADtv, and as the in-house prognosticator for Fox NFL Sunday. In 2007 and 2008, he performed his impersonations on his own show, Frank TV, which aired on TBS. He is known for his impressions and for his frequent appearances on The Bob & Tom Show. He has released six solo CDs. From 2009 to 2011 he had a show at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EA Tiburon</span> Video game development studio by EA

EA Orlando is an American video game developer located in Orlando, Florida founded in 1994. It was formerly known as Tiburon Entertainment, which was acquired by Electronic Arts in 1998. After the acquisition, the studio was renamed EA Tiburon. EA had already purchased a minority equity interest in Tiburon in May 1996, the terms of which included that Tiburon would develop games exclusively for EA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Furman Paladins football</span> Football team of Furman University

The Furman Paladins football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the Furman University located in the state of South Carolina. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as members of the Southern Conference (SoCon). The school's first football team was fielded in 1889. The team plays its home games at the 16,000 seat Paladin Stadium in Greenville, South Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omari Hardwick</span> American actor

Omari Latif Hardwick is an American actor known for his starring role as James "Ghost" St. Patrick, the protagonist of Starz's Power and his role as Vanderohe in Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead (2021). He is also known for his roles in Saved and Dark Blue, in Spike Lee's Miracle at St. Anna (2008), Kick-Ass (2010), Tyler Perry's For Colored Girls (2010) and as Andre in BET Network's Being Mary Jane.

<i>A Football Life</i> American television series

A Football Life is an American documentary series of 116 episodes, developed by NFL Films and aired on NFL Network that documents the lives of select National Football League (NFL) players, coaches, owners, and teams. Friends, teammates, family members and other players and coaches associated with the subjects are interviewed.

The CBS Sunday Movie is the umbrella title for a made-for-TV and feature film showcase series originally airing from 1941 on CBS until the end of the 2005–2006 television season, when it was replaced with a drama series. It was the last of the weekly Sunday night movie showcases aired by the Big Three television networks to be canceled, outside of special event premieres and the network's previous run of the Hallmark Hall of Fame film anthology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marsai Martin</span> American actress (born 2004)

Caila Marsai Martin is an American actress and producer, best known for her role as Diane Johnson on the ABC sitcom Black-ish (2014–2022).

<i>Nobodys Fool</i> (2018 film) 2018 American film

Nobody's Fool is a 2018 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Tyler Perry. It stars Tiffany Haddish, Tika Sumpter, Omari Hardwick, Mehcad Brooks, Amber Riley and Whoopi Goldberg, and follows a recently paroled woman who tries to help her sister with a man who may be catfishing her. The film marks Tyler Perry's first R-rated comedy, as well as his first film not to be distributed by Lionsgate.

<i>Everyday Black Man</i> 2010 American film

Everyday Black Man is a 2010 film directed by Carmen Madden. It stars Henry Brown, C. Kelly Wright, Omari Hardwick and Tessa Thompson. It is a story about deception and a man's struggle to save his daughter.

<i>Spell</i> (film) 2020 American film

Spell is a 2020 American supernatural horror thriller film directed by Mark Tonderai and starring Omari Hardwick and Loretta Devine. It was released in the United States through digital on October 30, 2020 by Paramount Pictures via Paramount Players.

<i>Operation Mincemeat</i> (film) 2021 film by John Madden

Operation Mincemeat is a 2021 war drama film directed by John Madden. It is based upon Ben Macintyre's book on the British Operation Mincemeat during the Second World War. The film stars Colin Firth, Kelly Macdonald, Matthew Macfadyen, Penelope Wilton, Johnny Flynn and Jason Isaacs. This was Paul Ritter's final film appearance, and was dedicated to his memory.

<i>Madden NFL 21</i> 2020 American football video game developed by EA Tiburon

Madden NFL 21 is an American football video game based on the National Football League (NFL), developed by EA Tiburon and published by Electronic Arts. It is an installment of the long-running Madden NFL series. It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on August 28, 2020, and for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on December 4, 2020. It features Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson as the cover athlete, and Brandon Gaudin and Charles Davis as its in-game commentators. The game received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its gameplay but criticized its technical issues, while player reception was negative, with many heavily criticizing the lack of innovation.

<i>The Mother</i> (2023 film) American film by Niki Caro

The Mother is a 2023 American action thriller film directed by Niki Caro with a screenplay by Misha Green, Andrea Berloff and Peter Craig, from a story by Green. The film stars Jennifer Lopez, Joseph Fiennes, Lucy Paez, Omari Hardwick, Paul Raci, and Gael García Bernal. It is about a former US army operative (Lopez) who partners with an FBI agent to rescue her teenage daughter after she is kidnapped by criminals. The Mother was released on May 12, 2023, by Netflix mixed reviews from critics.

Rio Shore is a Brazilian reality television series that premiered on MTV Brasil and Paramount+ on September 30, 2021. It is the Brazilian adaptation of the American program Jersey Shore. It follows the same format as the Mexican version. The show follows the lives of ten participants who live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

<i>NFL Slimetime</i> Weekly Nickelodeon sports show

NFL Slimetime is an American weekly television sports show that premiered on Nickelodeon on September 15, 2021. The show focuses on the National Football League (NFL), and airs throughout the NFL season.

<i>80 for Brady</i> 2023 film by Kyle Marvin

80 for Brady is a 2023 American sports comedy film directed by Kyle Marvin, written by Sarah Haskins and Emily Halpern, and produced by former NFL quarterback Tom Brady. Based on a true story, the film follows four lifelong friends who travel to watch Brady and his New England Patriots play in Super Bowl LI in 2017. Billy Porter, Rob Corddry, Alex Moffat, and Guy Fieri also star.

References

  1. White, Peter (2023-06-27). "Paramount+ Purge Continues With 'Inside Amy Schumer', 'Fantasy Football' & Nickelodeon Content Scrapped". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  2. "Fantasy Football movie starring Omari Hardwick, Kelly Rowland hits Paramount+ Nov. 25". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Fantasy Football (2022) - IMDb , retrieved 2023-03-20
  4. "Breaking News - "Fantasy Football," Starring Marsai Martin, Omari Hardwick, Kelly Rowland and Rome Flynn, to Premiere Nov. 25, Exclusively on Paramount+ | TheFutonCritic.com". www.thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  5. Good, Owen S. (2022-10-27). "Sports movie Fantasy Football is a big ad for Madden, but its heart's in the right place". Polygon. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  6. Kelly Rowland, Omari Hardwick & Cast Talk Paramount+ New Movie 'Fantasy Football' , retrieved 2023-05-12
  7. "Interview: Marsai Martin And The Cast Of 'Fantasy Football' Reminisce About On-Set Family Affair". BET. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  8. "Breaking News - "Fantasy Football," Starring Marsai Martin, Omari Hardwick, Kelly Rowland and Rome Flynn, to Premiere Nov. 25, Exclusively on Paramount+ | TheFutonCritic.com". www.thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  9. "'Fantasy Football': Marsai Martin Can Control the NFL in New Comedy -- Watch the Trailer! (Exclusive) | Entertainment Tonight". www.etonline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  10. Fantasy Football | Official Trailer | Paramount+ , retrieved 2023-05-12
  11. "Fantasy Football - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  12. Yu, Brandon (2022-11-23). "'Fantasy Football' Review: Controlled Chaos". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  13. "'Fantasy Football' - A Fantasy/Sports Comedy for the Whole Family - Hollywood Insider". 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2023-05-12.