Helena Frye
Woody Harrelson has been in several basketball-themed movies throughout his career. One of his most notable roles was in the 1992 film White Men Can't Jump, where he played the iconic streetballer Billy Hoyle. Harrelson's other basketball-related roles include Semi-Pro (2008), in which he played Ed Monix, and the more recent Champions (2023), where he portrayed a basketball coach.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of basketball movies | 3 |
| Names of the basketball movies | White Men Can't Jump, Semi-Pro, Champions |
| Year of release of White Men Can't Jump | 1992 |
| Character name in White Men Can't Jump | Billy Hoyle |
| Year of release of Semi-Pro | 2008 |
| Character name in Semi-Pro | Ed Monix |
| Year of release of Champions | 2023 |
| Character name in Champions | Marcus Marakovich |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Woody Harrelson's role in the 2023 film 'Champions'
Woody Harrelson has been in at least two basketball movies prior to the 2023 film 'Champions'. He played Billy Hoyle in the iconic 1992 basketball film 'White Men Can't Jump' and Ed Monix in 'Semi-Pro' in 2008.
In 'Champions', Harrelson plays a disgraced, hot-headed, and temperamental minor-league basketball coach, Marcus Marakovich. After an arrest for drunk driving and shoving the head coach, Phil, during a game, Marcus is court-ordered to coach a team of players with learning disabilities, called 'The Friends', as community service. Marcus initially dislikes the idea but eventually warms up to the team and becomes close with its members. He also dates Alex, the sister of Johnny, one of the players on the team.
Harrelson found the role challenging, as it was his first film with a cast of actors with intellectual disabilities. He also had to trust director Bobby Farrelly, as he did not meet the team he would be coaching beforehand. However, he felt a connection with the cast, and the authenticity of their performances was praised by viewers.
Harrelson also served as an executive producer on the film and had high praise for his co-star Madison Tevlin, saying, "She's not a great basketball player, but she is a movie star."
Converse: Basketball Shoes, History, and Current Market
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Harrelson's 1992 role in 'White Men Can't Jump'
Woody Harrelson has been in at least two basketball-themed movies: the 1992 film "White Men Can't Jump" and the 2008 film "Semi-Pro".
Harrelson's 1992 Role in White Men Can't Jump
In "White Men Can't Jump", Woody Harrelson plays Billy Hoyle, a streetball hustler. The film is about a pair of con men who scheme their way onto the basketball court by betting on their opposing allies. The film is directed by Ron Shelton, who also directed "Bull Durham" and "Tin Cup".
Harrelson starred opposite Wesley Snipes, who played Sidney Deane, and the film also featured Rosie Perez, Kadeem Hardison, and Tyra Ferrell. The chemistry between Harrelson and Snipes has been described as "first class", and the film has been called "one of the better sports movies of the 90s".
"White Men Can't Jump" was released on March 27, 1992, and grossed $14,711,124 in 1,923 theatres in its opening weekend. It ultimately grossed $76,253,806 in the US and $90,753,806 worldwide, making it the 16th highest-grossing movie of 1992. The film received generally positive reviews and was particularly significant for Harrelson as it "started [his] movie career".
Badminton: A Fun Way to Lose Weight
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Harrelson played Ed Monix in 'Semi-Pro'
Woody Harrelson has been in several basketball-related movies, including the 1992 film "White Men Can't Jump", in which he starred as Billy Hoyle, a streetballer. Harrelson's other basketball movie is the 2008 film "Semi-Pro", in which he played Ed Monix.
"Semi-Pro" is an American sports comedy film directed by Kent Alterman, written by Scot Armstrong, and produced by Jimmy Miller. The film is set in the 1970s and follows the story of a small-time basketball team called the Flint Michigan Tropics, led by their owner, head coach, and promoter, Jackie Moon (played by Will Ferrell). The team is the worst in the league, and with the impending merger of the ABA and the NBA, they risk losing their franchise.
To turn their fortunes around, Jackie hires a new player named Ed Monix, played by Woody Harrelson. Monix is a former NBA player and an aging point guard who was benched for most of the playoff games for the Boston Celtics. With Monix's experience and skills, Jackie hopes to improve the team's performance and secure their future in the NBA.
"Semi-Pro" received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its blend of sports melodrama and parody, while others found it underwhelming in terms of humour and storytelling. Despite this, Harrelson's performance was noted, with one review stating that he "does a fine job in Semi-Pro".
Li-Ning Badminton Rackets: Are They Worth the Hype?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
'Champions' is a remake of the 2018 Spanish film 'Campeones'
Woody Harrelson has been in at least three basketball movies. He played Billy Hoyle in the iconic 1992 sports film "White Men Can't Jump". In 2008, he played Ed Monix in "Semi-Pro", where he was a player-coach. Harrelson's most recent basketball movie is "Champions", which was released in 2023.
"Champions" is an American remake of the 2018 Spanish film "Campeones". The original Spanish version was directed by Javier Fesser and written by Fesser and David Marqués. It was selected as the Spanish entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards but was not nominated. The film is inspired by Aderes team in Burjassot, Valencia—a team comprised of people with intellectual disabilities that won twelve Spanish championships between 1999 and 2014.
The 2023 remake of "Champions" is directed by Bobby Farrelly and stars Woody Harrelson as a hot-headed minor-league basketball coach, Marcus Marakovich. After a DUI, Marcus is sentenced by a judge to coach a basketball team of players with intellectual disabilities. Harrelson said he watched the original Spanish version and "fell in love with the story and jumped at the chance to make a version of the movie".
The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $19 million. While some viewers found the movie predictable, others praised its ability to evoke both humour and heart. One reviewer noted that the film successfully navigates a "fine line" in its portrayal of a group of intellectually challenged basketball players, avoiding the risk of losing its positive message.
Will Warren's Basketball Journey: From Start to Stardom
You may want to see also
Harrelson's character in 'White Men Can't Jump' was a streetballer
Woody Harrelson has been in several basketball-related movies, including the 1992 film "White Men Can't Jump", in which he starred as a streetballer, Billy Hoyle, alongside Wesley Snipes, who played Sidney Deane. The film follows the story of two con men who scheme their way through basketball by betting on their opponents. Harrelson's character, Billy, hustles Sidney on the court, and they eventually team up to hustle other competitors in Los Angeles. The basketball scenes in the movie are well-handled by director Ron Shelton, with impressive slow-motion spins and sweaty beady drips that showcase the chemistry between the leads.
Harrelson's character, Billy, is a streetballer, which means he plays basketball on the streets or in informal settings rather than in a professional league. Streetball is often associated with a more improvisational and creative style of play, and players may use tricks and flashy moves to impress their opponents and spectators. In the film, Billy is portrayed as a talented basketball player who uses his skills to hustle others.
To prepare for the role, Harrelson attended an intensive month-long basketball camp with other cast members, including Snipes. Bob Lanier, a former Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks player and Hall of Famer, was hired as the basketball coach for the film. Lanier was impressed by Harrelson's skills and believed he had the ability of a Division II college player. Harrelson's natural talent for the game and dedication to training helped bring authenticity to his portrayal of Billy Hoyle.
"White Men Can't Jump" was released in 1992 and was well-received by audiences and critics alike. The film grossed $76,253,806 in the US and was the 16th highest-grossing movie of that year. It received positive reviews for its clever script, engaging storyline, and charismatic leads. The basketball scenes, in particular, were praised for their impressive cinematography and slow-motion action shots.
In addition to "White Men Can't Jump," Harrelson has also appeared in other basketball-themed films. In 2008, he played Ed Monix in "Semi-Pro," and more recently, he took on the role of a basketball coach in the 2023 film "Champions." Harrelson's roles in these films showcase his versatility as an actor and his ability to portray a range of basketball-related characters.
Stringing Your Badminton Racquet: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Woody Harrelson has been in at least three basketball movies.
Woody Harrelson's latest basketball movie is the 2023 film "Champions", in which he plays a basketball coach.
In "Champions", Woody Harrelson plays a disgraced basketball coach who, after an arrest, must coach a team of players with disabilities as community service.
Woody Harrelson has also starred in the basketball movies "White Men Can't Jump" (1992) and "Semi-Pro" (2008).
"Champions" received mixed reviews from critics. One review called it "super funny and wholesome", while another said that it "worked on many levels" and had "a lot of other good acting performances".
