Upcoming Taika Waititi Sports Film: Release Date, Critical Responses, Preview, Storyline, Actors, and All We've Learned So Far about the Project
In the world of cinematic underdog tales, "Next Goal Wins" might just snatch the gold medal. This flick, due out in theaters November 17th in the US (December 26th in the UK), is a rib-tickling sport movie for the big screen, cooked up by the incredibly talented Taika Waititi, director of such blockbusters as "Jojo Rabbit" and the thunderously fun "Thor: Ragnarok".
This masterpiece sprouts from the fertile ground of American Samoa, offering a compelling twist to Waititi's resume, reminiscent of his early, breakout hits like "Hunt for the Wilderpeople". With its intriguing premise and talented team, this film is set to leave moviegoers everywhere wide-eyed and captivated.
So without further ado, let's dive into everything we know about "Next Goal Wins" so far!
Release Date
"Next Goal Wins" premieres exclusively in movie theaters in the US on November 17th. Fasten your seatbelts, UK fans, as you get your turn on December 26th.
Plot summary
The film's official synopsis goes like this:
"'Next Goal Wins' tells the tale of the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their disastrous 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team enlists down-on-his-luck, renegade coach Thomas Rongen, hoping he'll bring the world's worst soccer team up to speed in this heartfelt underdog comedy."
Waititi and Iain Morris penned the script.
Want to keep the suspense going? We'll leave the juicy parts of their true story for you to uncover in the movie.
The powerhouse cast
The "Next Goal Wins" roster is packed with big Hollywood names, as well as comic talent with ties to Samoan heritage, casting a wide net to tell this compelling tale.
Headlining the team is Michael Fassbender, portraying coach Thomas Rongen. Fassbender is a multi-talented star, having earned an Oscar nomination for "Steve Jobs" and mesmerizing audiences for years as the young Magneto in the 2010s X-Men movies. Don't miss your chance to catch him back on the big screen, as he takes a break from "The Killer" with David Fincher coming out later in 2023.
Other instantly recognizable faces in the movie include Elisabeth Moss ("The Handmaid's Tale"), Will Arnett ("Arrested Development"), Luke Hemsworth ("Westworld"), Rhys Darby ("Our Flag Means Death"), and Taika Waititi himself, who'll make a cameo.
Completing the cast are Oscar Knightley, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Lehi Falepapalangi, Semu Filipo, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Kaimana, Chris Alosio, and Angus Sampson.
Trailer Time!
Want to get a sneak peek at the movie's shenanigans? Check out the trailer below:
Reviews roll in
The critics are weighing in on "Next Goal Wins". Rotten Tomatoes, the review aggregator, currently has the movie at a 46% positive score, which categorizes it as "Rotten".
Running time
"Next Goal Wins" spans one hour and 43 minutes on the clock.
Rating
"Next Goal Wins" earns a PG-13 rating in the US for "some strong language and crude material".
Taika Waititi: Master of the Silver Screen
We've mentioned many of the movies that Waititi has helmed, but this Kiwi-born director made a name for himself with critically-acclaimed indie movies in New Zealand. He's also directed a number of beloved TV episodes, including "Flight of the Conchords", "The Inbetweeners", "What We Do in the Shadows", "The Mandalorian", and "Our Flag Means Death".
In the film world, here's his complete list of feature directing credits:
- "Eagle vs Shark" (2007)
- "Boy" (2010)
- "What We Do in the Shadows" (2014)
- "Hunt for the Wilderpeople" (2016)
- "Thor: Ragnarok" (2017)
- "Jojo Rabbit" (2019)
- "Thor: Love and Thunder" (2022)
Waititi isn't slowing down anytime soon, as he's reportedly in talks to bring a "Star Wars" movie, an "Akira" adaptation, and "Tower of Terror", based on the Disney World ride, to life on the big screen.
The upcoming release date for "Next Goal Wins" is November 17th in US theaters, with UK fans getting to watch it on December 26th. This sports comedy, directed by Taika Waititi, tells the inspiring story of the American Samoa soccer team, who hope to improve under the guidance of renegade coach Thomas Rongen, portrayed by Michael Fassbender. The movie also features Elisabeth Moss, Will Arnett, Luke Hemsworth, Rhys Darby, and Waititi himself in a cameo. The critically-acclaimed director has a talent for both movies and television, having worked on numerous hits like "Thor: Ragnarok", "Jojo Rabbit", and "The Mandalorian". The movie currently has a 46% positive score on Rotten Tomatoes and spans one hour and 43 minutes. "Next Goal Wins" is rated PG-13 for some strong language and crude material. Contact your local theater to secure your tickets for this highly-anticipated underdog tale. For those who can't wait, check out the movie's trailer below.
