Marvel Entertainment and ESPN are joining forces for a short film series focusing on real-life superheroes that will begin airing next month.
“1 of 1 – Origins” gives viewers a unique look at some of the world’s most successful athletes by mixing the award-winning non-fiction style of ESPN Films with original Marvel art, design and creative animation, the sports network said in a statement Tuesday. In a social media crossover, all eight films will be released on the ESPN 30 for 30 Facebook page and Marvel.com on the same day as their television premiere.
The series follows some of the biggest stars in sports, including NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, NBA player Dwight Howard and Paralympian/”Dancing With the Stars” contestant Amy Purdy.
It is directed by Emmy-winning director and producer Eric Drath (30 for 30 “No Mas,” Assault In The Ring) and each episode focuses on a single athlete, all of whom have a defining story of the origin of their powers in their ascent to greatness in their sport.
“I could not ask for more collaborative and creative teams to work with than those at ESPN Films and Marvel,” said Drath. “It was truly amazing to work with such incredible athletes for this series and to learn of their moments of self-discovery.”
“1 of 1 – Origins” kicks off with San Francisco 49ers QB Kaepernick’s story, which will be shown during the July 10 episode of ESPN’s “His & Hers” hosted by Jemele Hill and Michael Smith as it is telecast from Comic-Con in San Diego. The remaining short films will launch across various ESPN programs including “SportsCenter,” coverage of the MLB Home Run Derby and the British Open.
“1 of 1 – Origins: Colin Kaepernick” – Premiering July 10
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is one of the NFL’s biggest stars, but it was on the baseball diamond that a young Colin would be forever changed. At 12, he was already a standout athlete, head and shoulders over his peers in both size and skill. But on one fateful day, the hits were not coming and his father would see this opportunity as a moment to help redirect Colin’s life and forever alter his destiny.
“1 of 1 – Origins: Brandi Chastain” – Premiering July 13
At a pivotal moment during a childhood soccer game, Brandi Chastain gets a pass to her left foot. It was that kick where she would discover her power and later use it during the most dramatic penalty kick in USA soccer history.
“1 of 1 – Origins: Bryce Harper” – Premiering July 13
Major league baseball player Bryce Harper discovers the secret to his hitting powers as a little boy, but his destiny unfolds when he finally get the call to the big leagues.
“1 of 1 – Origins: Dwight Howard” – Premiering July 14
It was on a crude basketball court in middle school where NBA legend Dwight Howard played a pick-up game that would forever change his self-confidence and influence his ultimate destiny.
“1 of 1 – Origins: Amy Purdy” – Premiering July 15
Snowboarding star Amy Purdy tells her story of coming back from the brink of death, losing her legs, and finding her super power.
“1 of 1 – Origins: Phil Mickelson” – Premiering July 15
PGA super star Phil Mickelson finds his super power at the moment when others failed to persevere, and it was this moment that would propel him to the greatest heights in golf.
“1 of 1 – Origins: Danica Patrick” – Premiering July 16
Star racecar driver Danica Patrick retells the moment she discovered her super power as a 10 year-old racing go-carts. It was on a little track in rural Beloit, Wisconsin where she discovered that she would do anything to win, and found the internal drive and focus to accomplish greatness.
“1 of 1 – Origins: Tony Hawk” – Premiering July 17
Super star skater Tony Hawk was not always soaring to new heights, it was an early moment of failure during his childhood that would reshape his attitude and help him find his power.
Additionally, the feature-length documentary film, “1 of 1 – Genesis” will air on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET and then again at 9:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 14. “1 of 1 – Genesis” premiered on Netflix in March and features star athletes such as Russell Wilson, Dwight Howard and Danica Patrick. The film is also currently available on Digital HD through select digital retailers.
18 Dramatic Championship Sports Movie Moments: From 'Rocky' to 'Remember the Titans' (Photos)
"The Pride of the Yankees" (1942)
This beautifully dramatized moment of sports history, as wonderfully monologued by Gary Cooper, helped to immortalize the already infamous "Luckiest man" speech by Lou Gehrig.
“Rocky” (1976)
In the ultimate underdog story, newcomer Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) gets a shot at the world heavyweight title against champ Apollo Creed. Rocky proves he has the goods, going the entire 15 rounds against Creed, but loses in a split decision. Rocky would get a rematch though and win the title in “Rocky II”.
"Breaking Away" (1979)
One of the most inspiring underdog stories ever made, the Little 500 bicycle race in Bloomington, Indiana, is a local classic as made famous by this film. In the film's closing race scene, the locals -- dressed in plain white T-shirts with their nickname the "Cutters" -- upset the richer college students with more expensive bikes and uniforms, riding across the finish line in pure glory.
“Chariots of Fire” (1981)
Two Englishmen push each other to be the best sprinter at the 1924 Olympics. While they won gold on the big screen’s racetrack, “Chariots of Fire” would go on to win Oscar gold for best picture.
“The Natural” (1984)
Robert Redford plays middle-age rookie Roy Hobbs in “The Natural.” Hobbs leads his team to a championship on his final at-bat when he launches the most famous home run in movie history. Thus proving the unspoken rule in baseball: If you break the lights you win the game.
“Hoosiers” (1986)
Another Indiana classic in what is widely considered one of the greatest sports movies of all time, “Hoosiers” follows a small town high school basketball team as they make it all the way to the state finals. They play a bigger and more athletic team in the finals, but with a last second shot pull off the surprise victory.
“Major League” (1989)
Charlie Sheen and Tom Berenger lead an outfit of misfit Cleveland Indians from last place to a shot at the league pennant against the powerhouse Yankees. Even though the film is a comedy, the final game plays out in dramatic fashion.
“A League of Their Own” (1992)
“A League of Their Own” proved that girls can play baseball, and ends in a play at the plate that determines the championship. Geena Davis’ Rockford Peaches may lose that final game, but as Tom Hanks taught us, “there is no crying in baseball!”
Steve James’ revolutionary documentary follows inner-city Chicago kids William Gates and Arthur Agee throughout their high-school basketball careers. The film culminates in both striving to reach the finals of their city wide championship tournament.
“Remember the Titans” (2001)
Based on the true story of Virginia’s first integrated high school football team (led by coach Denzel Washington), the Titans not only change the views of an entire town, but they go undefeated on their way to a thrilling state championship against an all-white team.
“Friday Night Lights” (2004)
The film that spawned the critically acclaimed TV series (which in turn may spawn a film of its own) is memorable in that its featured team doesn’t win the championship. The Permian Panthers mount a great comeback, but come up one yard short of the state title.
“Miracle” (2004)
In perhaps one of the greatest upsets in sports history, a team of U.S. college hockey players defeated the Soviet Union, the three-time defending gold medal winner and best team in the world, during the Cold War.
"DodgeBall" (2004)
Okay, okay. This is really a parody of sports movies. But for all its send-ups of underdog sports movie formulas, it also embraces them full-heartedly during the gripping championship showdown between the Average Joes and Globo Gym.
“The Fighter” (2010) David O. Russell‘s Oscar-winning picture depicted boxer Mickey Ward’s (Mark Wahlberg) climb up the ranks from middling contender to a shot at the title. The final fight shows the grit and heart that it took for Ward to win the belt.
"Senna" (2010)
The best sports documentaries are as riveting as their scripted counterparts, putting viewers right in the action as if they are watching it unfold live. "Senna" is one of the finest examples, using primarily archival footage with no narration and few interviews to show the bitter Formula 1 rivalry between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost that led to the 1989 and 1990 championships being decided in controversial fashion at Japan's famed Suzuka Circuit.
"Survive and Advance" (2013)
ESPN's "30 for 30" series included a look at arguably the most famous championship run in college basketball history. In 1983, Jimmy Valvano led the North Carolina State Wolfpack on a streak of nine consecutive overtime or one-point wins, culminating in a last-second basket to win the championship over top-ranked Houston. In this documentary, even though the outcome is known, every game's heart-stopping drama is recreated perfectly.
"Creed" (2015)
The power and hypnotic beauty of this famous running scene from "Creed" as directed by Ryan Coogler is immense. Michael B. Jordan captures the inspiring training run from the original "Rocky" with a modern spirit. You can feel the emotion of the moment so strongly and can't help but root for him.
"Celtics/Lakers: Best of Enemies" (2017)
Another ESPN documentary that puts you right in the moment. Narrated by Lakers fan Ice Cube and Celtics fan Donnie Wahlberg, this five-hour doc covers the most famous championship rivalry in sports, which peaked with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in the 80s. The tension hits its peak with Game 4 of the 1987 NBA Finals, in which Bird infamously missed a game-tying three-point shot.
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Whether it’s the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat, TheWrap recaps the biggest moments in these sports classics
