American Underdog

***American Underdog*** is a 2021 American biographical sports film about National Football League (NFL) quarterback Kurt Warner. Directed by Andrew and Jon Erwin, the film follows Warner's journey as an undrafted player who ascended to winning Super Bowl XXXIV. It stars Zachary Levi as Warner alongside Anna Paquin as his wife Brenda and Dennis Quaid as St. Louis Rams head coach Dick Vermeil.

The film was released theatrically in the United States on December 25, 2021, by Lionsgate Films. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and has grossed over $25 million.

## Storyline

### Plot

*American Underdog* chronicles the true story of Kurt Warner, who went from stocking shelves at a supermarket to become a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP, and Hall of Fame quarterback.

### Genres

* Biography
* Drama
* Sport

### Motion Picture Rating

* **14A** (Canada)
* **A** (Mexico)
* **12** (Poland)
* **PG** (USA)

## Images

USA DVD coverUSA Blu-Ray coverUSA 4K UHD Blu-Ray cover
## Cast and Crew

### Directors

* Andrew Erwin
* Jon Erwin

### Writing Credits

* Kurt Warner (based on the book "All Things Possible" by) and
* Michael Silver (based on the book "All Things Possible" by)
* David Aaron Cohen (screenplay by) and
* Jon Gunn (screenplay by) and
* Jon Erwin (screenplay by)

### Cast

* Zachary Levi - Kurt Warner
* Anna Paquin - Brenda Meoni
* Hayden Zaller - Zack
* Ser'Darius Blain - Mike Hudnutt
* Dennis Quaid - Dick Vermeil
* Chance Kelly - Mike Martz
* Simeon Castille - Isaac Bruce
* Bruce McGill - Jim Foster
* Adam Baldwin - Coach Allen
* Cindy Hogan - Sue Warner
* Nicholas Harris - Ray Lewis
* Steven Chester Prince - Gene Warner
* Dean Denton - David Gillis
* Kevin Downes - John Ramsdell
* Cora Wilkerson - 4-Year-Old Jesse
* Morgana Shaw - Jenny Jo
* Danny Vinson - Larry
* Andrea Cohen - Weary Teacher
* Katie Fountain - Kim
* Beau Hart - 9-Year-Old Kurt
* Bryce Bruckbauer - 11-Year-Old Matt
* Brett Varvel - Steve 'Mooch' Mariucci
* Christopher Rhodes - Reggie White
* Joshua Herren - Derek
* McKylin Rowe - Marshall
* Johnny Horn - Security Guard
* Ben Hall - Gas Station Attendant (Edward)
* Trisha Zarate - Hy-Vee Cashier
* Damian Love - Tyler
* Matt Bassuener - Brett Favre
* Blake Henri - Skinny Rodeo Line Dancer
* Doug Van Liew - Hell's Angel Line Dancer
* Sean Laube - Pretty Boy Line Dancer
* Eli Gold - Panthers' Announcer
* Brad Nessler - Barnstormers' Announcer
* Gus Johnson - CBS Announcer
* Al Michaels - Super Bowl Announcer
* Boomer Esiason - Super Bowl Announcer
* Steve Levy - Sportscenter Anchor
* Wally Wallace - Sports Radio Commentator

### Other Cast (in alphabetical order)

* Sean Albertson - Kurt Warner's Agent
* Keives McGaugh - Reporter
* O.J. Keith Simpson - Marshall Faulk
* Marc Allen - Fanatic Rams Fan (uncredited)
* Miguel Andrews - Rams Medic (uncredited)
* Bryce Barfield - Opposing College Head Coach (uncredited)
* Geoff Barron - Security Guard (uncredited)
* Greg Batterson - Rams Medic (uncredited)
* Lisandro Boccacci - Local Videographer (uncredited)
* Brett Bower - Store Clerk (uncredited)
* Aaron J. Brooks - Hy-Vee Customer (uncredited)
* Mary C. Bruce - Rejected Dancer / Line Dancer / Pedestrian (uncredited)
* Carol Caho - Fan (uncredited)
* Julienne Rosa de Oliveira - Wedding Guest (uncredited)
* Mario Ezeh - Rams Player (uncredited)
* Lisa Fenimore - Bartender (uncredited)
* Ashley Safer Fossick - Fan (uncredited)
* Wayne Garner - Niu Staff (uncredited)
* Alberto Gayoso - Packers Coach (uncredited)
* Lena Harmon - Bar Patron (uncredited)
* Kyle Jacob Henry - Barnstormer Football Player (uncredited)
* Waylon Hobson - Wedding Guest (uncredited)
* Jada Jay - Rams Cheerleader (uncredited)
* Ezra Johnson - Football Fan (uncredited)
* Ben Kacsandi - Trent Green (uncredited)
* Emma Keifer - UNI Cheerleader (uncredited)
* Carla Kidd - Sideline Photographer (uncredited)
* Damian Lund - Uncle Buddy (uncredited)
* Christopher Ashton Manning - Bar Patron (uncredited)
* Brandon Keith McCowan - Rams Fan (uncredited)
* Jennifer New Moon - Waitress (uncredited)
* Maxton Mussman - Hy-Vee Son (uncredited)
* Tabitha Myles - Ram's Wife (uncredited)
* Machelle Noel - Waitress (uncredited)
* Garrett O'Brien - Stadium Security (uncredited)
* Michael Anthony Page - Coach Red Brubaker (uncredited)
* Craig Philson - Man in Chicken Suit (uncredited)
* Barbara Sandlin - Country Line Dancer (uncredited)
* Eugene Shawn - Football Player (uncredited)
* Hank Slaughter - Rams Medic (uncredited)
* Daylan Jones Smith - Ravens Football Player (uncredited)
* James Van Alstine - John (uncredited)
* Jackie VanZant - Bar Patron (uncredited)
* April Warren - Cafe Patron (uncredited)
* Jason Allen Wear - Stadium Security (uncredited)
* Mark White - Tampa Bay Storm Coach (uncredited)
* Greg Williams - UNI Panthers Coach (uncredited)
* Zach Wofford - Rams Fan (uncredited)
* Bob Yount - Albany Firebids Coach (uncredited)

### Producers

* Mark Ciardi (producer) (p.g.a.)
* Sean Devereaux (executive producer)
* Kevin Downes (producer) (p.g.a.)
* Andrew Erwin (producer) (p.g.a.)
* Jon Erwin (producer) (p.g.a.)
* Brent Ryan Green (co-producer)
* Jon Gunn (executive producer)
* Daryl C. Lefever (producer)

## Details

### Release Dates

* December 15, 2021 (USA) (TCL Chinese Theater, Los Angeles) (premiere)
* December 25, 2021 (Canada)
* December 25, 2021 (Indonesia)
* December 25, 2021 (Poland)
* December 25, 2021 (USA)
* January 27, 2022 (Mexico)

### Home Media Release Dates

* February 22, 2022 (USA) (DVD)
* February 22, 2022 (USA) (Blu-Ray)
* February 22, 2022 (USA) (4K UHD Blu-Ray)

### Also Known As

* American Underdog (original title)
* American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story (working title)
* American Underdog (Canada)
* American Underdog (Germany)
* American Underdog (India)
* American Underdog (Indonesia)
* American Underdog (Ireland)
* American Underdog: La Historia De Kurt Warner (Mexico)
* American Underdog (Netherlands)
* American Underdog (Philippines)
* American Underdog (Poland)
* Американский неудачник (Russia)
* American Underdog (Singapore)
* 아메리칸 언더독 (South Korea)
* American Underdog (Turkey)
* American Underdog (United Arab Emirates)
* American Underdog (UK)
* American Underdog (USA)

## Production

The film was first announced in February 2020, when Andrew and Jon Erwin were hired to direct the film, back then under the title of *American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story*. In September 2020, it was announced that Zachary Levi would star as Kurt Warner. In January 2021, Anna Paquin and Dennis Quaid were among the additional cast added to the film.

Filming began on January 25, 2021 and concluded on March 6. Shooting for the film occurred in Atlanta and Oklahoma City. The film's title was later shortened to *American Underdog*, with the release of the film's marketing and the announcement of the Christmas release date.

## Release

*American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story* was released theatrically in the United States on December 25, 2021. It was previously scheduled to be released on December 18, 2020, but was postponed to December 10, 2021 and later to December 25 of that year, due to the delayed filming schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film premiered at the TCL Chinese Theater in Los Angeles in December 15, 2021.

## Reception

### Box office

As of February 8, 2022, *American Underdog* has grossed a worldwide total of $25,863,417.

In the United States, the film was released alongside *A Journal for Jordan* and the wide release of *Licorice Pizza*. The film made about $1 million from advanced screenings the week prior to its official opening. It ended up grossing $5.9 million from 2,813 theaters and finishing fourth at the box office, men made up 52% of the audience, with those over the age of 25 comprising 79% of ticket sales. The film earned $3.9 million in its second weekend, $2.3 million in its third, $1.6 million in its fourth, $1.2 million in its fifth, and $1.16 million in its sixth.

### Critical response

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 75% based on 61 reviews, with an average rating of 6.6/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "*American Underdog* sticks to the standard inspirational sports drama playbook—and proves once again that it can be very effective in the right hands." On IMDb, the film has a rating of 7.3/10. On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 53 out of 100 based on 14 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film a rare average grade of "A+" on an A+ to F scale.

## Comparisons to real events

The film depicts Kurt Warner's first NFL playing time as being in the Rams 1999 season opener against the Ravens. In reality, he played in the Rams' week 17 game of their 1998 season against the 49ers. He only completed four of his eleven attempts for 39 yards. Warner had actually been on the team longer than Trent Green, who was signed on February 15, 1999, while Warner had signed with the Rams during the 1998 offseason and was allocated to NFL Europe, which is not mentioned in the film at all. The film also omits that Warner played for the Iowa Barnstormers for three seasons.

## Company Credits

### Production Companies

* Lionsgate Films
* Kingdom Story Company
* Erwin Brothers Entertainment
* City on a Hill Productions

### Distributors

* Elevation Pictures (2021) (Canada) (theatrical)
* Lionsgate Films (2021) (USA) (theatrical)
* Lionsgate Films (2021) (UK) (theatrical)
* Lionsgate Films (2021) (Ireland) (theatrical)
* Lionsgate Home Entertainment (2022) (USA) (DVD)
* Lionsgate Home Entertainment (2022) (USA) (Blu-Ray)
* Lionsgate Home Entertainment (2022) (USA) (4K UHD Blu-Ray)

### Special Effects

* Zero VFX (visual effects)
* FuseFX (visual effects) (as Fuse)
* Base FX (visual effects)
* Neon Robotic (visual effects)
* FotoKem (visual effects)
* Tempest FX (additional visual effects)

## Trivia

* This is the second film to feature an underdog backed by Dick Vermeil after *Invincible* (2006) about Vince Papale, a Philadelphia Eagles walk-on wide receiver while Vermeil was the Eagles head coach.
* This is the second collaboration between Zachary Levi and Adam Baldwin, who previously co-starred in the TV series Chuck (2007-2012).
* This is the fourth football film to star Dennis Quaid. The previous three were *Everybody's All-American* (1988), *Any Given Sunday* (1999), and *The Express* (2008).
* This is the first film to feature the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams since *Heaven Can Wait* (1978).
* When the character of Kurt met Brenda's son, Zach, he said, "Zach. That's a great name." This came from actor Zachary Levi, who shares the name, and would, indeed, think that's a great name.
* The stadium that the Panthers call home is the UNI-Dome, and not the outdoor field depicted.
* This is the second Erwin Brothers film to be filmed in 2.35:1, after *I Still Believe* (2020).