Eddie the Eagle ( film ) - wikipedia Eddie the Eagle ( film ) Eddie the Eagle British theatrical release poster Directed by Dexter Fletcher Produced by Adam Bohling David Reid Rupert Maconick Valerie Van Galder Matthew Vaughn Written by Sean Macaulay Simon Kelton Starring Taron Egerton Hugh Jackman Christopher Walken Iris Berben Jim Broadbent Music by Matthew Margeson Cinematography George Richmond Edited by Martin Walsh Production company Marv Films Studio Babelsberg Saville Productions TSG Entertainment Distributed by 20th Century Fox ( US / International ) Lionsgate ( United Kingdom ) Release date 26 January 2016 ( 2016 - 01 - 26 ) ( Sundance Film Festival ) 26 February 2016 ( 2016 - 02 - 26 ) ( United States ) 28 March 2016 ( 2016 - 03 - 28 ) ( United Kingdom ) Running time 105 minutes Country United Kingdom Germany United States Language English Budget $23 million Box office $46.1 million Eddie the Eagle is a 2016 biographical sports comedy - drama film directed by Dexter Fletcher. The film stars Taron Egerton as Eddie Edwards, a British skier who in 1988 became the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping since 1929. Hugh Jackman, Christopher Walken, Iris Berben and Jim Broadbent co-star. The film had its world premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival on 26 January 2016. The film was released by 20th Century Fox in Canada and the U.S on 27 February 2016 and by Lionsgate in the UK on 28 March 2016. In 2017 it was nominated for the Empire Award for Best British Film. Contents 1 Plot 2 Cast 3 Production 3.1 Development 3.2 Filming 4 Release 5 Soundtrack 6 Reception 6.1 Box office 6.2 Critical response 6.3 Accolades 7 References 8 External links Plot In 1973, ten - year - old Eddie Edwards dreams of Olympic glory, practicing in various Olympic events and failing miserably. His mother unconditionally supports him, while his father constantly discourages him. As a young teen, he gives up his dream of participating in the Summer Games in favour of skiing in the Winter Games. Although successful at the sport, he is rejected by British Olympic officials for being uncouth. Realizing he could make the team as a ski jumper ( a sport in which the United Kingdom had not participated in six decades ), he decamps to a training facility in Garmisch - Partenkirchen, Germany. The more seasoned jumpers, specifically those on the Norwegian team, belittle him. He self - trains, and after successfully completing the 15 - metre ( 49 ft ) hill on his first try, he injures himself on his first try from a 40 - metre ( 130 ft ) hill. Alcoholic snow groomer Bronson Peary encourages Eddie to give up, but Eddie 's tenacious spirit and shared feelings of ostracism by the other jumpers there convince him to train Eddie. Peary is a former champion American ski jumper who left the sport in his 20s after a conflict with his mentor, famous ski jumper Warren Sharp, which Eddie learns from Petra, the kindly owner of a nearby tavern. With very little time to qualify for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta, Eddie and Bronson employ various unorthodox methods to condition and refine Eddie 's form, and he successfully completes the 40m hill. To qualify for the British Olympic division in ski jumping, Eddie only needs to complete a jump from a 70 - metre ( 230 ft ) hill in order to qualify for the Winter Olympics. Not long after, he manages to land the jump successfully, with a distance of 34 metres ( 112ft ), thus winning a place on the British Olympic Team. However, the officials, in an effort to keep Eddie from sullying the Winter Games with his amateurish skillset, decide to change the rules and demand that he jump at least 61 metres ( 200 ft ). Though discouraged, Eddie decides to continue training and performs on a circuit, his jumps increasing in length each time, but unable to meet the Olympic requirements. During a practice jump at the final event before the cutoff date for qualification, he lands a 61m jump exactly, but on his official jump, he falls and is disqualified. Eddie is devastated and resolves to return home to work with his father as a plasterer, but he receives a letter claiming that his qualifying practice jump is valid, and he happily tells Bronson that he 's eligible to compete in the Winter Olympics. Bronson tries to dissuade him, promising that he will make a complete fool of himself and his country if he goes, but Eddie is undeterred, noting that competing in the Olympics was always enough for him. Upon arriving in Calgary, he receives instant scorn from the other British athletes, who get him drunk and nearly provoke him into fighting after he is subsequently absent from the opening ceremonies. Despite finishing last in the 70m jump with 60.5 metres ( 198 ft ), Eddie sets a British record. His triumphant celebrations win the audience over, and the media embrace him as Eddie `` The Eagle ''. Over the phone, Bronson criticises Edwards for not taking the sport seriously. Edwards publicly apologizes to the press for his antics, and wanting to ensure he does not leave the games as little more than a novelty, he enters the 90 - metre ( 300 ft ) jump, which he had never attempted before. Bronson decides to travel to the games and support him. After an encouraging conversation with his idol Matti `` The Flying Finn '' Nykänen on the lift to the top of the hill, Eddie barely manages to land a 71.5 - metre ( 235 ft ) jump. Once again, he scores last in the event, but is nonetheless cheered by the audience as well as millions around the world, which includes a playful salute in the closing speech of the President of the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, Frank King. British Olympic officials grudgingly accept him. Warren Sharp reconciles with Bronson, who was present, and Edwards returns home a national hero to the cheers of his fans at the airport, his mother rushes to him embracing him. And as Eddie looks to his father, he reveals a jumper declaring his support before then embracing Eddie as well. Cast Taron Egerton as Eddie `` The Eagle '' Edwards Tom Costello as 10 - year - old Eddie Edwards Jack Costello as 15 - year - old Eddie Edwards Hugh Jackman as Bronson Peary Christopher Walken as Warren Sharp Iris Berben as Petra Mark Benton as Richmond, a BOA official Keith Allen as Terry Jo Hartley as Janette Edwards Ania Sowinski as Clarrie Tim McInnerny as Dustin Target Edvin Endre as Matti `` The Flying Finn '' Nykänen Marc Benjamin as Lars Holbin Jim Broadbent as a BBC commentator Daniel Ings as Zach Rune Temte as Bjørn, a Norwegian coach Production Development Eddie the Eagle is a co-production of Marv Films ( UK ), Studio Babelsberg ( Germany ) and Saville Productions ( US ). In March 2015, it was announced that 20th Century Fox had acquired the film, with Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman starring and Dexter Fletcher directing, from a screenplay by Sean Macaulay and Simon Kelton. Egerton would portray Eddie `` The Eagle '' Edwards, while Jackman would portray Bronson Peary, his coach ; Jackman 's character was confirmed as fictional by Eddie Edwards. It was also announced that Matthew Vaughn, who produced Kingsman : The Secret Service, would reunite with the studio, serving as a producer on the film, while Adam Bohling, David Reid, Rupert Maconick and Valerie Van Galde would also serve as producers. That same month, it was announced that Christopher Walken had joined the film, portraying the role of Jackman 's character 's mentor. The film received funds of € 2.2 million, from the German Federal Film Fund ( DFFF ). Filming Principal photography took place in Oberstdorf and Garmisch - Partenkirchen in Bavaria, in Seefeld in Tirol, at the Pinewood Studios and in London from 9 March to 3 May 2015. Dry slope scenes were filmed at a dry ski slope in Bracknell, Berkshire, UK. Release In March 2015, it was announced 20th Century Fox would distribute the film in the United States of America. The studio set 29 April 2016 for the release of the film. That same month, it was announced that Lionsgate had acquired United Kingdom distribution rights to the film, with a spring 2016 release planned. In October 2015, Lionsgate set a release date for the film for 1 April 2016. The date was then moved forward to 28 March 2016. The same month, it was announced that the film had delayed to 26 February in the United States. The film had its world premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival as a `` Surprise Screening '' on 26 January 2016. Soundtrack `` Fly : Songs Inspired by the Film ' Eddie the Eagle, ' '' curated by Gary Barlow, was release on 1 April 2016 featuring new songs from Tony Hadley, Marc Almond, Holly Johnson, Paul Young, Kim Wilde, Andy Bell, Midge Ure, Nik Kershaw, ABC, Go West, Howard Jones, OMD and Heaven 17. Reception Box Office Eddie the Eagle grossed a worldwide total of $46.1 million. In the UK, it grossed $12.8 m making it the highest grossing British film released in the UK in 2016. Critical response On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a rating of 80 % based on 167 reviews, with an average rating of 6.5 / 10. The site 's consensus reads, `` Eddie the Eagle 's amiable sweetness ca n't disguise its story 's many inspirational clichés -- but for many viewers, it will be more than enough to make up for them. '' On Metacritic the film has a score of 54 out of 100, based on 34 critics, indicating `` mixed or average reviews ''. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of `` A '' on an A+ to F scale. Alonso Duralde of TheWrap wrote, `` Eddie the Eagle is designed for audiences who will throw their weight behind the film 's schmaltz and sentimentality. Anyone unwilling to commit to the movie 's shamelessness will feel like they 've hit the ground headfirst. '' KenyaBuzz called it a must - watch saying it is `` positively impetuous and unbearably affectionate. '' A sportswriter who attended the events in which the real Eddie competed, wrote `` three generations of my family loved this film. You ca n't believe most of it, but you can believe in it. That 's a subtle but important difference. '' Accolades Award Date of ceremony Recipient ( s ) Result Ref ( s ) Empire Awards March 19, 2017 Best British Film Eddie the Eagle Nominated Golden Tomato Awards January 12, 2017 Best British Movie 2016 Eddie the Eagle 5th Place Golden Trailer Awards May 4, 2016 Best Animation Family `` Sport '' Nominated Teen Choice Awards July 31, 2016 Choice Movie Actor : Drama Taron Egerton Nominated References Jump up ^ `` EDDIE THE EAGLE ( PG ) ''. British Board of Film Classification. February 11, 2016. Retrieved February 11, 2016. Jump up ^ Lang, Brent. `` Box Office : ' Gods of Egypt ' Falling Flat, ' Deadpool ' Still King ''. Variety.com. Retrieved February 25, 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` Eddie the Eagle ( 2016 ) ''. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 4, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Fleming Jr, Mike ( January 25, 2016 ). `` ' Eddie The Eagle ' To Soar In Sundance Surprise Screening ''. Deadline.com. Retrieved January 25, 2016. Jump up ^ Matthew Turner ( February 13, 2015 ). `` Screenwriter : Hugh Jackman wo n't play Lake Placid 's Chuck Berghorn, exactly ''. Lake Placid News. Archived from the original on April 6, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2015. ^ Jump up to : Anthony D'Alessandro ( 2015 - 03 - 31 ). `` Christopher Walken Joins Movies ' Nine Lives ' & ' Eddie The Eagle ' ''. Deadline. Retrieved 2015 - 04 - 24. Jump up ^ Tuppence Magazine ( 2015 - 06 - 27 ). `` Eddie The Eagle film ''. Tuppence Magazine. Retrieved 2015 - 06 - 27. Jump up ^ Blaney, Martin ( 2015 - 05 - 08 ). `` World of Locations : Germany ''. Screen International. Retrieved 2016 - 04 - 10. Jump up ^ `` Eddie the Eagle ''. British Films Directory. British Film Council. Retrieved 2016 - 04 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Film Review : ' Eddie the Eagle ' ''. Variety. Los Angeles : Penske Media Corporation. 2016 - 01 - 29. Retrieved 2016 - 04 - 07. Jump up ^ Before Taron Egerton 's casting, Steve Coogan was linked to the role of Edwards. `` Eddie the Eagle Role. ''. Retrieved 10 March 2016. ^ Jump up to : DeFore, John ( March 13, 2015 ). `` ' Eddie The Eagle ' Sundance Review ''. Deadline.com. Retrieved January 25, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Eddie the Eagle Coming to theaters on Feb 26th, 2016 ''. Eddie The Eagle 20th Century Fox. Retrieved 2016 - 04 - 01. Jump up ^ Fletcher, Dexter ( 2016 - 02 - 26 ), Eddie the Eagle, retrieved 2016 - 04 - 01 Jump up ^ Pulver, Andrew ( 2015 - 06 - 08 ). `` Eddie the Eagle : film of my life ' only 10 % ' accurate ''. The Guardian. ISSN 0261 - 3077. Retrieved 2016 - 02 - 09. Jump up ^ Pederson, Erik ( March 13, 2015 ). `` ' Eddie The Eagle ' Has Landed At Fox ; Biopic Starring Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman Set For 2016 ''. Deadline.com. Retrieved January 25, 2016. Jump up ^ Presse - und Informationsamt der Bundesregierung ( 2016 - 01 - 20 ). `` Staatsministerin Grütters -- DFFF bleibt wichtiger Anreiz für einen attraktiven Filmstandort Deutschland '' ( Press release ) ( in German ). Berlin : Cabinet of Germany. Retrieved 2016 - 04 - 01. Jump up ^ Evry, Max ( March 9, 2015 ). `` First Look at Hugh Jackman and Taron Egerton on the Set of ' Eddie the Eagle ' ''. comingsoon.net. Retrieved March 9, 2015. Jump up ^ Tartaglione, Nancy ( March 16, 2015 ). `` Lionsgate UK Jumps For ' Eddie The Eagle ' ''. Deadline.com. Retrieved January 25, 2016. Jump up ^ Tartaglione, Nancy ( October 15, 2015 ). `` ' Eddie The Eagle ' Sets UK Landing Date ; Stephen Fry Leaving ' QI ' -- Global Briefs ''. Deadline.com. Retrieved January 25, 2016. Jump up ^ Tartaglione, Nancy ( December 17, 2015 ). `` ' Eddie The Eagle ' Trailer Swoops In With First Look At Underdog Ski - Jumper Story ''. Deadline.com. Retrieved January 25, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Eddie the Eagle ( 2016 ) ''. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 21, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Eddie the Eagle reviews ''. Metacritic. Retrieved March 29, 2016. Jump up ^ `` ' Deadpool ' Overthrows ' Gods Of Egypt ', ' Eddie The Eagle ' At Thursday Box Office ''. deadline.com. Jump up ^ `` ' Eddie the Eagle ' Review : Hugh Jackman Ski Tale Buries Audience in Avalanche of Feel - Good - Isms ''. The Wrap. Retrieved February 25, 2016. Jump up ^ `` ' Eddie the Eagle ' Review : Sentimental Biopic Brings the Tears ''. www.kenyabuzz.com. Retrieved 2016 - 04 - 06. Jump up ^ Sharwood, Anthony ( 16 April 2016 ). `` Eddie The Eagle Starring Hugh Jackman Is The Best Worst Movie We 've Seen For Ages ''. The Huffington Post Australia. Retrieved 27 April 2016. Jump up ^ Pape, Danny ( February 7, 2017 ). `` Star Wars : Rogue One Leads Empire Awards 2017 Nominations ''. Flickreel.com. Retrieved March 3, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Golden Tomato Awards - Best of 2016 ''. Rotten Tomatoes. 12 January 2017. Jump up ^ `` The 17th Annual Golden Trailer Award Nominees ''. GoldenTrailer.com. Retrieved October 27, 2016. Jump up ^ Vulpo, Mike ( May 24, 2016 ). `` Teen Choice Awards 2016 Nominations Announced : See the `` First Wave '' of Potential Winners ``. E !. Archived from the original on May 25, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016. External links Official website Eddie the Eagle on IMDb Eddie the Eagle at Rotten Tomatoes Films directed by Dexter Fletcher Wild Bill ( 2011 ) Sunshine on Leith ( 2013 ) Eddie the Eagle ( 2016 ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eddie_the_Eagle_(film)&oldid=801025705 '' Categories : 2016 films English - language films 2010s biographical films 2010s comedy - drama films 2010s sports films 20th Century Fox films American films American biographical films American comedy - drama films American sports films Babelsberg Studio films British films British biographical films British comedy - drama films British sports films Films directed by Dexter Fletcher Films set in Germany Films set in the Alps Films shot in Germany Films shot in London Films about the 1988 Winter Olympic Games German comedy - drama films German films German sports films Films about Olympic skiing Films shot at Pinewood Studios TSG Entertainment films Lions Gate Entertainment films Films set in Gloucestershire Hidden categories : CS1 German - language sources ( de ) Use mdy dates from February 2016 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Español فارسی Français 한국어 Bahasa Indonesia Italiano Magyar Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Русский Suomi Українська 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 17 September 2017, at 06 : 23. 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Question: who is eddie the eagle movie based on
Answer: Eddie Edwards, a British skier who in 1988 became the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping since 1929