EXCLUSIVE: Having landing the coveted role of Clark Kent in DC Studios’ Superman, David Corenswet looks to have his sights set on his follow-up project. Sources tell Deadline that he is in negotiations to star in the Skydance Sports pic Mr. Irrelevant.
The movie is about John Tuggle, who was given the title after being the last pick of the last round of the 1983 NFL draft.
Jonathan Levine is directing with Emmy-nominated writer Nick Santora is penning the script.
The film will be produced by Skydance Sports, with Levine producing with Gillian Bohrer for Megamix along with Santora, who’ll produce through his Blackjack Films banner. The film will tell the inspiring, heartfelt and true story of Tuggle, drafted by the New York Giants, and his enduring impact on his team and teammates.
“Mr. Irrelevant” first started in 1976 with the drafting of USC receiver Paul Salata, starting a series of events that have come to be known as Irrelevant Week. A handful of players in that position have gone on to success, but Brock Purdy has given the moniker a face-lift since he took over starting duties for the San Francisco 49ers, leading them to the Super Bowl this past season.
While Tuggle’s story is much different then Purdy’s, it still touches on the notes that make for an ideal movie to add to Skydance Sports’ film slate.
As for Corenswet, the rising star has had himself quite a year after beating out a number of actors to play the iconic role of Clark Kent aka the Man of Steel in director James Gunn’s Superman. Production recently wrapped on the film that also stars Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and Corenswet had been eyeing several scripts before ultimately landing on this pic following a meeting with Levine.
Prior to landing the Superman role, Corenswet’s credits include the A24 horror pic Pearl as well as Universal’s Twisters. He is repped by CAA, Untitled Entertainment and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner Auerbach Hynick Jaime LeVine Sample & Klein.
