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The 2022 sports comedy-drama film Hustle is not based on a true story. The film, starring Adam Sandler as a basketball scout, features several real-life NBA players, including Juancho Hernangómez, Seth Curry, Shaquille O'Neal, Anthony Edwards, and Kenny Smith. The use of actual NBA players and the inclusion of cameos and directorial input from basketball players contributed to the film's authentic feel, leading many viewers to wonder if it was based on a true story. However, the scriptwriters, Taylor Materne and Will Fetters, confirmed that the film is entirely fictional, and the central character, Bo Cruz, is not a real NBA player.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Film name | Hustle |
| Release date | 2022 |
| Genre | Sports comedy-drama |
| Director | Jeremiah Zagar |
| Writers | Taylor Materne and Will Fetters |
| Producers | Adam Sandler and LeBron James |
| Main cast | Adam Sandler, Queen Latifah, Ben Foster, Robert Duvall, Heidi Gardner, Anthony Edwards, Juancho Hernangómez |
| Real-life NBA players | Anthony Edwards, Boban Marjanovic, Kenny Smith, Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Seth Curry, Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, Dirk Nowitzki, Trae Young, Luka Dončić, Moritz Wagner, Julius "Dr. J" Irving |
| Based on a true story | No |
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What You'll Learn
The film is not based on a true story
The 2022 film Hustle is a work of fiction and not based on a true story. The film revolves around the fictional character of Stanley Sugerman, played by Adam Sandler, a scout for the Philadelphia 76ers who discovers an extraordinary basketball player, Bo Cruz, abroad and tries to prepare him for the NBA draft. While the Philadelphia 76ers is a real NBA team, the characters of Stanley and Bo are fictional and were invented by scriptwriters Taylor Materne and Will Fetters.
The film blurs the lines between fiction and reality by featuring several real-life NBA players, including Juancho Hernangómez, who plays the role of Bo Cruz, Seth Curry, Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, Dirk Nowitzki, Trae Young, and Luka Dončić. Some of these players play themselves, while others play fictional characters. For example, antagonist Kermit Wills is played by NBA star Anthony Edwards. The inclusion of these real-life elements and naturalistic filmmaking touches by director Jeremiah Zagar gives the film an air of authenticity, leading many viewers to wonder if it is based on a true story.
The scriptwriters also decided to have the NBA stars featured in the film play themselves to maximise authenticity. In addition, the directors consulted with genuine basketball players to ensure the realism of the film was maintained. This attention to detail and the mix of real-life elements with fictional storytelling create a believable world that resonates with audiences and makes the film feel like it could be based on a true story.
While the central characters and specific plot points of Hustle are fictional, the film does draw on the real-life experiences of NBA scouts and prospects. The story of Bo Cruz, an international basketball prospect facing challenges on his path to the NBA, reflects the struggles and triumphs of many aspiring basketball players striving to make it to the prestigious league. The film accurately portrays the process of scouting, discovering talent, and preparing players for the NBA, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the world of professional basketball.
In conclusion, while Hustle is not based on a true story, it effectively blends fictional storytelling with authentic details and performances by real-life NBA players, creating a compelling and believable sports drama that resonates with audiences.
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Real NBA players star in the film
The 2022 sports comedy-drama film "Hustle" stars Adam Sandler as Stanley Sugerman, a down-on-his-luck National Basketball Association (NBA) scout who discovers a raw but talented basketball player in Spain, Bo Cruz, played by real-life NBA player Juancho Hernangómez, and tries to prepare him for the NBA draft. The film features a great collection of past and current NBA players.
Outside of Sandler, the main character of the film is Hernangómez, a former Spanish professional basketball player who made the jump to the NBA in 2016 when he was drafted in the second round by the Denver Nuggets. He was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2019 and then to the Boston Celtics to start the 2021 season. Hernangómez was then traded to the San Antonio Spurs, who then traded him to the Utah Jazz.
Anthony Edwards, the high-flying scoring machine for the Minnesota Timberwolves, also appears in "Hustle." Edwards play Kermit Wills, Cruz's main rival on the court. Dirk Nowitzki, a two-time MVP in 2007 and 2011, is another NBA alumnus who plays a significant role in the film. Trae Young, a dynamic playmaker and scorer in his fourth season playing point guard for the Atlanta Hawks, also makes an appearance.
Current Miami Heat point guard Kyle Lowry, a six-time NBA All-Star, is also in "Hustle." Wagner, a former Laker and commentator on Inside the NBA, plays Haas, a 19-year-old German player nicknamed the “German MJ” that the 76ers want to draft. Shaq, a four-time NBA champion and three-time Finals MVP, also makes an appearance in the film.
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The film was directed by Jeremiah Zagar
The 2022 American sports comedy-drama film "Hustle" was directed by Jeremiah Zagar. The film stars Adam Sandler, who plays a down-on-his-luck National Basketball Association (NBA) scout who discovers a raw but talented basketball player in Spain, played by Juancho Hernangómez, and tries to prepare him for the NBA draft. The film also stars Queen Latifah, Ben Foster, Robert Duvall, Heidi Gardner, and current NBA player Anthony Edwards.
Zagar is a filmmaker and the son of Philly artist Isaiah Zagar. He replaced Meyers as director when Sandler joined the cast in May 2020. Sandler had seen Zagar's 2018 narrative feature debut "We the Animals" and asked him to take a look at the script for "Hustle." Zagar was initially hesitant but became intrigued by the idea of shooting basketball in a cinematic way and signed on to the project.
Zagar spoke about his experiences making "Hustle" from his office in Brooklyn, NY, where he lives. He said that he and the cinematographer, Zak Mulligan, watched Raging Bull and were inspired by the way Scorsese filmed each boxing match with a different style and vibe. They wanted to bring that same energy to the basketball scenes in "Hustle," making them feel as beautiful as a dance. Zagar also wanted to meld his love for fiction and documentary storytelling, bringing his hometown love for Philadelphia to the big screen.
In an interview with NPR, Zagar said that he initially told Sandler that he didn't want to direct the movie and had no interest. However, he later received the script and found it beautiful. He also mentioned that he loved sports movies as a kid and was a basketball fan, so it was a dream come true to work on a project like "Hustle."
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Adam Sandler stars as a basketball scout
Adam Sandler stars as Stanley Sugerman, a down-on-his-luck, jaded, international scout for the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA in the 2022 film Hustle. The film is a sports comedy-drama directed by Jeremiah Zagar, co-produced by and starring Sandler. It also stars Queen Latifah, Ben Foster, Robert Duvall, Heidi Gardner, and current NBA player Anthony Edwards. LeBron James produced the film through his SpringHill Company banner.
In the film, Stanley Sugerman is a scout who yearns to coach. He is on a quest to find the next big NBA sensation and travels the world, spending time away from his wife, Teresa (Queen Latifah), and daughter, Alex (Jordan Hull). He discovers a raw but talented basketball player in Spain, Bo Cruz (played by Juancho Hernangómez), and tries to prepare him for the NBA draft. Bo Cruz is an incredibly talented unknown player with a criminal past who works in construction and makes extra money hustling at basketball.
Sandler's performance in the film was singled out for praise, with ABC News critic Peter Travers writing, "It's always a slam dunk when Adam Sandler drops his doofus routine and really acts. And here, as a basketball scout who yearns to coach, he infuses every frame of this formulaic crowd-pleaser with a real-deal love of the game." The film received positive reviews from critics, with a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 68 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
Hustle was released in select theatres on June 3, 2022, and on Netflix on June 8, 2022, becoming one of the most-watched movies on the platform. It is the latest example of Sandler's unexpected turns in his career, showcasing his ability to take on diverse roles and deliver compelling performances.
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The film received positive reviews
The 2022 sports comedy-drama film Hustle is not based on a true story. However, it has received positive reviews from critics, with praise directed towards lead actor Adam Sandler's performance. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 93% approval rating, with an average rating of 7.2/10. On Metacritic, the film received a score of 68 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
Sandler's portrayal of Stanley Sugerman, a scout for the Philadelphia 76ers, was particularly well-received, earning him his first Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Best Leading Actor. Critics highlighted Sandler's ability to infuse "every frame of this formulaic crowd-pleaser with a real-deal love of the game". The mix of real-life elements and naturalistic filmmaking touches, along with the inclusion of current and former NBA players, contributed to the film's authentic feel.
Hustle was directed by Jeremiah Zagar, who replaced Meyers as director after Sandler noticed his work on the 2018 narrative feature debut, "We the Animals". Zagar was initially hesitant to take on the project but became intrigued by the idea of shooting basketball in a cinematic way. The film was written by Taylor Materne and Will Fetters and produced by LeBron James through his SpringHill Company banner.
The cast of Hustle includes Queen Latifah, Ben Foster, Robert Duvall, Heidi Gardner, and current NBA player Anthony Edwards. Filming took place in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, with many school, college, and university buildings serving as filming locations. The use of real basketball players and filming locations added to the authenticity of the film.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not based on a true story. However, it does feature several real-life NBA players, including Seth Curry, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O'Neal, and was produced by LeBron James.
Real-life NBA players who appear in Hustle include Seth Curry, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Anthony Edwards, Boban Marjanovic, Kenny Smith, and Julius "Dr. J" Erving.
Adam Sandler plays the fictional character of Stanley Sugerman, a scout for the Philadelphia 76ers.
The main character in the film Hustle is Bo Cruz, a talented international basketball prospect discovered by Stanley Sugerman. However, Bo Cruz is not a real person and is played by actor Juancho Hernangómez.
The film Hustle feels like a true story due to its authentic portrayal of basketball and the inclusion of real-life NBA players in the cast. Director Jeremiah Zagar and cinematographer Zak Mulligan drew inspiration from other sports films and incorporated different styles and techniques to capture the game's energy and realism.
