Three days before the college football national championship game, star quarterback LeMarcus James (Stephan James) and teammate Emmett Sunday (Alexander Ludwig) ask all players in the title game to join them in a boycott. Their demands: the NCAA and its affiliates end their practice of unpaid labor and compensate all student- athletes. With billions of dollars on the line, the young athletes stand firm against their head coach (J.K. Simmons) and unyielding boosters, NCAA executives, conference heads – and a “fixer” who’ll go to any lengths to stop their historic and herculean efforts. At stake is not only the collegiate athletics system, but the very legacies of those on both sides of this hot button issue.
STXfilms presents NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, starring Stephan James, J.K. Simmons, Alexander Ludwig, Lil Rel Howery, Tim Blake Nelson, Russell Wilson, Andrew Bachelor, Jeffery Donovan, David Koechner, with Kristin Chenoweth, with Timothy Olyphant and Uzo Aduba. Cameos include Malcolm Jenkins, Steve Levy, Mike Greenberg, Jemele Hill, Michael Smith, Michael Holley, and Nick Wright. The film is directed by Ric Roman Waugh and written by Adam Mervis. The producers are Basil Iwanyk and Brendon Boyea of Thunder Road Films, and Greg Economou of Game1.
Executive Produced by Russell Wilson, Jonathan Fuhrman, Michael Smith, Jeffrey Stott, Ric Roman Waugh, Christian Mercuri, David Haring, Adam Mervis, Robert Simonds, Adam Fogelson, Samuel J. Brown, Matthew Helderman, Luke Taylor, And Will Flynn.
STXfilms releases NATIONAL CHAMPIONS on December 10, 2021.
Stephan James was the first and only actor to be considered for the role of the mega- disrupting, star quarterback LeMarcus James. Prior to casting James, Waugh studied his prior films, including 21 Bridges and If Beale Street Could Talk. “Stephan has a ‘true north’ sensibility: he’s grounded, elegant, and nuanced in that film, and I wanted to see those qualities in LeMarcus, who is risking it all to change the world. I wanted to play into that complexity, and for the character to carry the weight of the world on himself. Stephan never deviates from that; he plays everything from that true north compass.”
James, in turn, says he was drawn to LeMarcus’ incredible journey. “He’s a trailblazer and a leader who’s always looking out for his teammates,” he points out. “His attitude is, If I don’t address this issue, then who will? LeMarcus has a platform and influence, so what can he do with that power? He realizes he can help his ‘brothers’ – his teammates and fellow athletes – by taking on the behemoth that is the NCAA and its member schools who enrich themselves. That requires preparation, and LeMarcus is a quarterback, so he always has a gameplan. He’s ready to take the epic stand before the biggest game of his life. LeMarcus understands that the movement he’s spearheading is much bigger than him. He’s always looking at the big picture.”
Alexander Ludwig, who reunites with James eight years after they co-starred in the football-themed film, When the Game Stands Tall, echoes Waugh’s thoughts about Emmett: “He’s a good old boy from the South who loves football and, more importantly, loves his friend. That loyalty is what makes Emmett so special to me. He’s the best best friend you could ever hope for. Emmett knows he’s not going to the NFL; his days in football are numbered – actually, they’re down to that championship game. LeMarcus, on the other hand, has the world at his feet. So, it’s an interesting dynamic between the two of them.
“At the same time,” Ludwig continues, “Emmett has found himself in a position where he can do something great. And it’s up to him to seize that opportunity.” Another key team figure is the defensive coordinator, Coach Ronnie Dunn, played by Lil Rel Howery (The Carmichael Show), whose allegiances help shape Lazor’s and LeMarcus’ respective struggles.
There are powerful forces aligned against LeMarcus and his journey, including corporate “fixer” Katherine Poe, portrayed by three-time Emmy winner Uzo Aduba. The Orange is the New Black and In Treatment star says she was intrigued with the film’s themes of legacy – “how will you be remembered, and what will you do to win?
“NATIONAL CHAMPIONS is about what it takes to be a true champion,” she continues. “LeMarcus is tasked with winning – on the gridiron and in life. He understands his legacy is more than football; it’s about standing up for what he believes is right.”
Katherine’s role as a fixer leads her to “push against Lazor, the NCAA, the Cabal, further than they think they can go, in their battle against LeMarcus,” Aduba explains. She leads the charge to savage LeMarcus, and turn him into a monster that no one could follow. She must destroy him, publicly and slowly.
To change the game, you have to risk everything. Stephan James, J.K. Simmons, and Uzo Aduba star in the new National Champions Movie trailer. Only in theaters December 10th.
Three days before the college football national championship game, star quarterback LeMarcus James (Stephan James) and teammate Emmett Sunday (Alexander Ludwig) ignite a player’s strike declaring they won’t compete until all student-athletes are fairly compensated. With billions of dollars at risk and legacies on the line, the stakes could not be higher. Now, with only hours until kickoff, the head coach (J.K. Simmons) and various power brokers (Lil Rel Howery, Tim Blake Nelson, Andrew Bachelor, Jeffrey Donovan, David Koechner, Kristin Chenoweth, Timothy Olyphant, Uzo Aduba) must race against the clock to protect or destroy the prevailing collegiate athletics system.