Tyrese Gibson is looking to bring an inspirational story of high school basketball triumph to the big screen.
The actor, known for the Fast and Furious franchise, is set to star in writer-director Scott Rosenfelt’s sports drama Under the Boards, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The indie film is expected to begin production in February.
Under the Boards is inspired by real-life events experienced by the Atlantic City High School’s basketball team from 2003 to 2013 as the squad won its first New Jersey state championships. The film centers on larger-than-life head coach Gene Allen (Gibson) and Jim Schafer, the math teacher with a passion for strategy who becomes the assistant coach. Under the Boards looks to celebrate the athletes, families, teachers and community members who supported the team’s unlikely success.
Rosenfelt, who helms the movie from his own script, serves as producer alongside Salomé Breziner. Schafer, Gibson and T’Shaun Barrett serve as executive producers, while Debby Schafer co-produces. Jim Schafer, whose path helped inspire the project, is married to Rosenfelt’s cousin, and the casting process is underway to cast the actor who will portray Schafer.
“This film belongs to Atlantic City,” says Rosenfelt. “Tyrese understands that a coach like Gene is part preacher, part politician and part father to every kid on that bench. He is going to bring that whole community to life.”
Adds Breziner, “It is an honor to bring Jim Schafer’s story to life and to celebrate a community that never stopped believing. I am so excited to be working with Tyrese again, and to be back alongside Scott on a film this close to his heart.”
Rosenfelt’s producing credits include Home Alone, Mystic Pizza, Teen Wolf, Critical Thinking and Smoke Signals, and he directed the film Family Prayers. Breziner wrote and directed Tollbooth and Fast Sofa, and she is currently producing the Billy Zane-led Danger Island alongside Rosenfelt.
Gibson is represented by Kris Heller at IAG and Mona Scott-Young at Monami Management.