An independent film project got a boost from some added star power this week as Capture Studios today announced that legendary Science Fiction author and screen writer David Gerrold has signed a contract to write The Thunderers, a story about an American Football Team in Wales.
"We couldn't be happier to have such an incredible talent as David on board," said Producer Michael Capozzoli. "We know that his creativity, his humor and his professionalism will be great assets in turning this compelling story into a great film."
Gerrold, the author of over 50 books, hundreds of articles and columns, and over a dozen television episodes (including the famous Star Trek episode "The Trouble with Tribbles") is also known for The Martian Child, an autobiographical tale about his son's adoption, that won the Hugo and Nebula awards for Best Novelette of the Year and was the basis for the 2007 movie, Martian Child, starring John Cusack, Amanda Peet, and Joan Cusack.
The Thunderers is the unlikely story of an American football team in Wales. Set in Pittsburgh, USA, and Aberystwyth, Wales. It follows Tom who flees the Steel City after a humiliating failure in the final game in his senior year. Hailing from a lineage of footballing heroes and unable to live with the shame he has brought on his family, Tom heads to Wales to finish his education. After another humiliating performance trying out for the university's rugby team, Tom finds acceptance and a fresh start with a group of misfits. Within a motley crew of weedy, gigantic and eccentric university students attempting to launch the first Welsh American football team, The Thunderers, spearheaded by the irrepressible Pete Eastwood, he finds kindred spirits. Initially Tom rejects the hand of friendship but the charms of a spirited, wily Welsh cheerleader drag him into the fold. Eventually he embraces The Thunderers and he finds, to his surprise, that his heritage helps him to coach the team to some unlikely victories.
The Thunderers is a classic underdog story infused with comedy, heart, and a genuine love of Welsh culture. It unifies rugby and football, team and town, Wales and America and an eccentric collection of players in a love story about Wales, a comedy about drama, a romance about sports. About working with Capture Studios and members of the original team on The Thunderers, Gerrold had this to say:
"What a marvelous story about a wonderful group of people. I can hardly wait to see this movie -- so I guess I'd better get back to work on the script!"
Born from the experience of Michael Capozzoli and Kerry Warwicker and the expert local Welsh knowledge of Catrin Rees, The Thunderers has attracted the attention and services of a number of high profile and talented individuals such as Welsh musician and former Royal Harpist Claire Jones and her husband, composer Chris Marshall, who have agreed to compose an original score.
Talented actors such as Elinor Crawley (Submarine and The White Queen), Hugh Mitchell (Harry Potter), Stefan Gumbs (Waterloo Road) and
NOAH Maxwell Clarke (Top Boy) have already been cast and former international rugby players (league and union) Gareth Thomas and Iestyn Harris have agreed to cameo appearances. The movie will also showcase new breakout talent in the form of Jonny Vaughton (ex Ospreys and Cardiff Blues rugby player turned actor) and Ben Harper. Capture Studios is also in talks with several well known actors for leading roles and will be holding open casting calls in Pittsburgh and Aberystwyth in the New Year.
Producer and owner of Pittsburgh based Capture Studios Michael Capozzoli was born and raised in Pittsburgh. He was a graduate of Langley
HIGH SCHOOL and pursued his undergraduate education at Thiel College. He then went on to earn his master's degree in Theatre, Film and Television Studies at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth (now Aberystwyth University). He spent a total of five years in the United Kingdom between his Junior Year Abroad in Nottingham and London and the beginning of his PhD in Liverpool. He was also a member of Y Tarannau (The Thunderers) in the 1990's.
Photo Credit: Facebook
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