Stand-up comedian and actor Andrew Dice Clay works to lead a high school basketball team to victory in the newly released trailer for the upcoming sports drama, Warrior Strong. Coming courtesy of Quiver Distribution, Warrior Strong follows suspended pro basketball player Bilal Irving (Jordan Johnson-Hinds) who must work alongside his old coach (played by Andrew Dice Clay) in order to restore his image and bring a ragtag team of high school basketball players together on the court. Check out the trailer for Warrior Strong below.
When Bilal Irving left his small hometown bound for a basketball career worthy of his phenom status, he was sure he’d never return. But with his recent suspension from the professional league in China, he finds himself desperate for an opportunity repair his image. So, his agent decides he can change his client’s ‘coach killer’ narrative by arranging for Bilal to return home to his old high school team, the Dumont Warriors, in Northern Ontario. It’s far from a slam dunk scenario though as Bilal’s old high school coach, Avery Schmidt, still holds the reins to his program with iron fists.
Unfortunately, Coach hasn’t been the same since the loss of his wife, Martha, and now after a near-fatal heart attack, he’s been forced to accept some co-coaching help that he stubbornly doesn’t think he needs – especially from his protégé who left town and never looked back. But the Principal delivers an ultimatum to Bilal and Schmidt – they either coach together or the school will fold the basketball program for this year.
Directed by Shane Belcourt, and written by Dan Gordon and Belcourt, Warrior Strong stars Andrew Dice Clay, Jordan Johnson – Hinds, Sarah Podemski and Macaulee Cassaday.
Warrior Strong Hearkens Back to the Likes of Hoosiers & Bad News Bears
In the vein of the great sports underdog movies like Hoosiers, Bad News Bears and The Blind Spot, Warrior Strong is a heartwarming story of triumph both on and off the court. And, much like these sports movie classics, Warrior Strong will introduce a colorful cast of characters alongside Andrew Dice Clay’s hard-headed coach and Jordan Johnson-Hinds down on his luck pro.
This season’s “Warriors” are a ragtag team of high school basketball players who can barely get along, never mind play together. The misfits include: Gunnar – a point guard/’god’ who definitely thinks there’s an “i” in team, his bullish sidekick, Mason, Shlomo – the goofball of the group and most timid player, team anchor and heartthrob Russell, and equipment manager Bettina – who knows the game better than anyone, but holds themself back as they deal with being non-binary in a small town.
Coach Schmidt and Bilal will struggle to get this team to gel as they deal with their own differences of opinion and strategy both on and off the court. Bilal needs to learn how to put a team first and Coach Schmidt wrestles with unresolved grief and some coaching techniques that need updating. Can they reach a truce for long enough to see the team start clicking and bring home enough “W’s” to get them into the playoffs?
Warrior Strong is due to land in theaters and will be available to Buy or Rent from September 29.
