Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick, Anyone But You) and Michael Waldron, who previously wrote Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as well as Loki, have teamed up to create, write and star in the Hulu comedy series Chad Powers, based on the character created by NFL player Eli Manning for his EPSN+ docuseries Eli’s Places. Manning wanted to learn more about the walk-on process for college football, so he donned a wig and prosthetic makeup so he could go undercover during the Penn State football tryouts.
The official description for the upcoming series states, “When bad behavior nukes hotshot QB Russ Holliday’s (Powell) college career, he disguises himself and walks onto a struggling Southern football team as the talented, affable Chad Powers.”
Powell and Waldron said in a joint statement:
“We’re both diehard college football fans. When we saw Eli as Chad Powers, we knew that was the way into a big, fun story about this world. We’re excited to be part of this team, and can’t wait to get Chad in the game. Think fast, run fast.”
In addition to Powell and Waldron, Manning will executive produce along with his brother Peyton Manning via Omaha Productions as well as Jamie Horowitz and Ben Brown. Adam Fasullo of Waldron’s Anomaly Pictures will also executive produce, as will ESPN. Powell will executive produce under his Barnstorm Productions banner. 20th Television is the studio.
Eli Manning said of the project:
“The love for Chad Powers has surprised me in spectacular ways. I played 16 years in the NFL, but now when I’m in a restaurant or walking through an airport, it’s not uncommon for fans to scream, ‘Hey Chad!’ I’m so excited to team up with my friends Glen Powell, Michael Waldron and Omaha Productions to continue to tell the Chad Powers story and see what he does next.”
This will not be Powell’s first foray as a writer. He previously co-wrote the screenplay for the action-comedy Hit Man along with Richard Linklater, with Powell also starring in the film. It debuted at the Venice Film Festival and will be released theatrically on May 24 before arriving on Netflix on June 7. Powell most recently starred in the romantic comedy Anyone But You with Sydney Sweeney, which has grossed nearly $200 million worldwide. He is also known for his role in megahit sequel Top Gun: Maverick as well as for films like Hidden Figures and Everybody Wants Some. He is also set to star in the highly-anticipated film Twisters.
via: Variety
