I’m excited to share with you more about about Disney’s upcoming feel good sports film “McFarland, USA.” It features Kevin Costner as coach Jim White who uproots his family and moves to a California Central Valley agricultural farm and encounters a Latino culture that is foreign to him, but in which he finds unexpected strength and speed.
The movie is in the vein of great sports films like, Remember the Titans, The Blind Side, and Seabiscuit. It’s also based on a true story. Watch this behind the scenes featurette to learn more:
Disney’s “McFarland, USA” comes to theaters February 20, 2015!
Full plot synopsis is below the jump:
Inspired by the 1987 true story, “McFarland, USA” follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school.
Coach White and the McFarland students have a lot to learn about each other but when White starts to realize the boys’ exceptional running ability, things begin to change. Soon something beyond their physical gifts becomes apparent—the power of family relationships, their unwavering commitment to one another and their incredible work ethic.
With grit and determination, the unlikely band of runners eventually overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well. Along the way, Coach White realizes that his family finally found a place to call home and both he and his team achieve their own kind of American dream.
Disney’s “McFarland, USA” stars Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Morgan Saylor, Martha Higareda, Michael Aguero, Sergio Avelar, Hector Duran, Rafael Martinez, Johnny Ortiz, Carlos Pratts, Ramiro Rodriguez, Danny Mora,Valente Rodriguez, Vanessa Martinez and Chris Ellis and is directed by Niki Caro with screenplay by Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson, and story by Cleveland & Gilois.
Gordon Gray and Mark Ciardi are producing, with Mario Iscovich and Mary Martin serving as executive producers.