Michael Shannon (Man of Steel) has joined the cast of an upcoming untitled Skydance Sports football drama about former NFL player John Tuggle. David Corenswet (Superman) will portray John “Mr. Irrelevant” Tuggle, while Shannon plays legendary coach Bill Parcells.
Directed by Jonathan Levine, the film is based on a screenplay by Emmy-nominated writer Nick Santora. Isabel May (1883, Alexa & Katie) will also star in the movie.
Based on an inspiring true story, the film centers on former New York Giants running back John Tuggle, who was famously dubbed “Mr. Irrelevant” after being selected as the final pick in the 1983 NFL Draft.
The film will be produced by Skydance Sports, with Jonathan Levine also producing alongside Gillian Bohrer from Megamix and Nick Santora from Blackjack Films. It will tell the true, inspiring story of Tuggle, drafted by the New York Giants, and his lasting impact on his team, even though he was the last pick in the 1983 NFL Draft. The story also highlights Bill Parcells, the Hall of Fame coach of the Giants at the time, who played a key role in giving Tuggle a chance, helping him make a lasting mark on the team.
The term “Mr. Irrelevant” began in 1976 with Paul Salata, the last pick in the NFL Draft, creating Irrelevant Week, and while some players picked last have found success, Brock Purdy redefined the title by leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl after the 2023 season; John Tuggle’s story, though different from Purdy’s, is still inspiring and a great fit for a movie with Skydance Sports.
The release date for the Skydance film is TBA (To Be Announced).
Source: Deadline
