Michael Fassbenderhas had a tough run of late, but he’s looking to turn things around and I like his latest move, as he is in final talks to star inTaika Waititi’s soccer movieNext Goal Wins, Collider has confirmed.
Fox Searchlight’s sports dramedy is based on the 2014 British documentary of the same name fromMike BrettandSteve Jamison. The underdog story follows the national football team of American Samoa and their coach as they attempt to transform from perennial losers into a squad that qualifies for the FIFA World Cup.
Waititi, who is from New Zealand, co-wrote the screenplay withIain Morris, andAndy Serkisis producing the film withGarrett BaschandJonathan Cavendish, as well as Brett and Jamison. In fact, it was Serkis' Imaginarium Productions that originally optioned the remake rights to the documentary – a savvy business move, if you ask me.
Waititi will directNext Goal Winsbefore he returns to the MCU to directThor: Love and Thunder, which will starChris Hemsworth,Tessa ThompsonandNatalie Portman, the latter of whom will become Thor in the sequel. Fox Searchlight will release Waititi’s next film, the Nazi Germany satireJojo Rabbit, on Oct. 18.
Fassbender is coming off a brutal stretch that saw him star inThe Snowman,Assassin’s CreedandThe Light Between Oceansalong with a pair of critically reviledX-Menmovies and the little-seenTerrence MalickfilmSong to Song. Fassbender is an incredible actor when he has good material to work with, as evidenced by his performances inSteve JobsandShame, so hopefully Waititi’s feel-good story offers him some new notes to play, because he needs to recapture his mojo – and fast. Fassbender, who is also starring inKung Fury 2for some reason, is represented by CAA and Troika, andthe Hollywood Reporterbroke the news of his casting inNext Goal Wins.
