Next Goal Wins (upcoming film)


Next Goal Wins is an upcoming American sports comedy film directed by Taika Waititi, who co-wrote the screenplay with Iain Morris. It is based on the 2014 documentary of the same name by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, about Dutch-American coach Thomas Rongen's efforts to lead the American Samoa national football team, considered the weakest football team in the world, to a qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Michael Fassbender will star as Rongen, alongside Elisabeth Moss, Kaimana, Beulah Koale, Rachel House, and Armie Hammer. Principal photography for the film began on November 4, 2019.

Premise

-American football coach Thomas Rongen is tasked with turning the American Samoa national team, considered one of the weakest football teams in the world, into an elite squad.

Cast

It was announced in August 2019 that Fox Searchlight Pictures had set up an initially unspecified project that would see Taika Waititi write and direct prior to his obligations to . It was later revealed as being a feature film adaptation of the documentary Next Goal Wins. Waititi, Garrett Basch and Jonathan Cavendish serve as producers, with Andy Serkis, Will Tennant and Kathryn Dean as executive producers.
In September, Michael Fassbender entered final negotiations to star in the film. He would be confirmed the next month, alongside Elisabeth Moss entering negotiations to join. In November 2019, it was announced Kaimana, Oscar Kightley, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Lehi Falepapalangi, Semu Filipo, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Rhys Darby, Angus Sampson, Chris Alosio and Sisa Grey had joined the cast of the film, with Moss being confirmed. In December 2019, Armie Hammer joined the cast of the film.
Principal photography began on November 4, 2019 and entered post-production in January 2020.