Fans of Apple TV+’sTed Lassoand Disney+’sBig Shot, rejoice! There is a new sports project on the block. Or there will be, asDeadline revealsexclusively.The Senior, starringThe ShieldalumMichael Chiklis, is based on a true story and is set to start production this fall in Texas.
Even though Mike Flynt (Chiklis) is no Vic Mackey, he is also haunted by the past: the former football player lost his shot at being a collegiate linebacker because he developed major issues with another player that ended in a fistfight. The story is set 37 years later, when Mike realizes that, at 59 years old, he’s still eligible to try out for the college team — and he does.
As much as this sounds like a story you’d seen only in sports dramas, it’s true. Much like 1993’sRudy,The Senioris based on a real-life story, with Flynt being considered the Rudy Ruettiger of the boomer generation. After spending several decades regretting his loss of temper, Flynt decided to resume his sports career, regardless of his age. Also, Flynt went to high school at Odessa Permian, made famous by the acclaimed TV seriesFriday Night Lights.
RELATED:‘Ted Lasso’ Season 3 Writers Room Kicks Off This Week After Cast, Writers Get Big Pay Bumps
The Senioris written byRobert Eisele, who wrote for the TV seriesThe Equalizerback in the 80s and wrote the screenplay forDenzel Washington’sThe Great Debaters. The movie will be directed byRod Lurie, whose previous titles includeHell on Wheels,Straw Dogs, andNothing But the Truth.
Emmy winner Chiklis is best known for his role as corrupt LA detective Vic Mackey in FX’sThe Shield. He also gained prominence internationally after playing The Thing in twoFantastic Fourmovies. Recently, he played another police detective, Captain Nathaniel Barnes, on FOX’sGotham, for two seasons.
Further details forThe Senior, such as the rest of the cast and release date, are yet to be announced.
KEEP READING:‘The Equalizer’: Season 2 Trailer Has Queen Latifah Going Jessica Jones on Bad Guys
