The Mosquito Bowl

Last updated

The Mosquito Bowl
Directed by Peter Berg
Screenplay by
Based on The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II
by Buzz Bissinger
Produced by
Starring
Production
companies
Distributed by Netflix
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Mosquito Bowl is an upcoming American sports action drama film directed by Peter Berg and produced by Film 44 and Imagine Entertainment for Netflix. It is based on the Buzz Bissinger book The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II , which is about the Mosquito Bowl game played during World War II. The film will star Nicholas Galitzine, Bill Skarsgård, Ray Nicholson, and Tom Francis in the leading roles.

Contents

Cast

Production

Development

The film is based on Buzz Bissinger's 2022 The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II . [1] [2] While American Primeval , also directed by Berg, was in post-production, a friend's son recommended that he make an adaption of the book during a dinner, following which Berg stated "everything just clicked". [3] Production for the film began in 2025. [4] The premise follows the Mosquito Bowl game where four top American football players enlist in the United States Marine Corps after the attack on Pearl Harbor. While preparing for the battle of Okinawa, they play a football game that later becomes famous. [5] The movie is directed by Peter Berg, and co-produced by Berg with Film 44, Brian Grazer with Imagine Entertainment, and Alex Gayner. [6] Berg and Grazer previously collaborated on Friday Night Lights (2004), another sports movie adaptation of Bissinger's work. Berg and Mark L. Smith co-wrote the script, while Ezra Emanuel serves as the executive producer. Production of the movie was announced in April 2025, and will be distributed by Netflix. [5] The movie is an action drama sports film. [6] [5]

Casting

In late April 2025, it was announced that the actors Nicholas Galitzine and Bill Skarsgård were cast in undisclosed leading roles. [7] The film also stars Ray Nicholson and Tom Francis. [8] [9] In July, Brent Comer joined the cast as George Murphy, a quarterback from the University of Notre Dame. [10] Pat McAfee, a former NFL player, will also appear as a drill instructor. [2] [1] Dominic Bogart appears in an undisclosed role. [4]

Filming

The movie began filming in August 2025 in Queensland, Australia. [11] [9] Berg praised the natural landscapes, calling it "cinematic gold" and "perfect" for the book's transition to a visual medium. [9] Scenes were also shot in Richard Gouse Field at Brown Stadium in Providence, Rhode Island, for one day in November 2025. [12] [13] By December 2025, filming had wrapped. [14]

Release

The film is expected to release on Netflix in 2026. [6]

References

  1. 1 2 Kiley, Rachel (August 29, 2025). "Nicholas Galitzine & Bill Skarsgård slip into uniform for The Mosquito Bowl — here's what we know". Pride . Archived from the original on August 31, 2025. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Garcia, Brayden (August 29, 2025). "'Friday Night Lights' author and film director reteaming on new football movie". Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Archived from the original on October 20, 2025. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  3. Beer, Jeff (February 18, 2025). "'I always have a vague, abstract idea of things that I want to do': Peter Berg on how staying busy fuels his creativity". Fast Company . Archived from the original on February 18, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Palmer, Katherine (January 7, 2026). "Netflix unveils major update on epic war drama based on emotional true story". Manchester Evening News . Archived from the original on January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 Kroll, Justin (April 2, 2025). "Peter Berg's Film 44 Reups Netflix Deal, Sets 'Mosquito Bowl' As First Film Under New Pact Reuniting With Brian Grazer". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on April 4, 2025. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 Grobar, Matt (January 7, 2026). "Netflix's 2026 Film Slate: Dates For 'War Machine' & Other Titles, New Cast For Animated 'Swapped' Plus First-Look Pics For 'Enola Holmes 3,' More". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  7. Grobar, Matt (April 15, 2025). "Nicholas Galitzine & Bill Skarsgård To Star In Netflix's 'Mosquito Bowl' From Director Peter Berg". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on May 17, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  8. Kroll, Justin (April 22, 2025). "Ray Nicholson And Tom Francis To Co-Star in Peter Berg's 'The Mosquito Bowl' At Netflix". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on April 22, 2025. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 "Filming begins in Queensland on Netflix drama 'The Mosquito Bowl'". Screen Queensland. August 4, 2025. Archived from the original on September 8, 2025. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  10. Stephan, Katcy; Donnelly, Matt (July 8, 2025). "Brent Comer Joins Peter Berg's 'The Mosquito Bowl' at Netflix (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Archived from the original on July 9, 2025. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  11. "Peter Berg's Netflix drama 'The Mosquito Bowl' touches down in Queensland with Nicholas Galitzine, Bill Skarsgård". IF Magazine . August 4, 2025. Archived from the original on August 12, 2025. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  12. Parker, Paul Edward (November 13, 2025). "Netflix films World War II football movie at Brown Stadium in Providence RI". The Providence Journal . Archived from the original on November 15, 2025. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
  13. Parker, Paul Edward (November 12, 2025). "Netflix films "The Mosquito Bowl" in Providence RI about World War II football game". The Providence Journal . Archived from the original on November 15, 2025. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
  14. "In Conversation with The Mosquito Bowl director Peter Berg". Screen Queensland. December 11, 2025. Archived from the original on January 21, 2026. Retrieved January 21, 2026.