(Left) Nicholas Galitzine stars in ‘The Idea of You’. Credit: Alisha Wetherill/Prime. Copyright: © 2022 Amazon Content Services LLC. (Right) Bill Skarsgård in the Horror/Thriller film ‘Locked’, a The Avenue release. Photo courtesy of The Avenue.
Preview:
- Nicholas Galitzine and Bill Skarsgård are aboard ‘Mosquito Bowl.’
- Director Peter Berg wrote the movie with Mark L. Smith.
- It adapts a based-on-truth tome by Buzz Bissinger.
Director Peter Berg seems to be on something of a winning streak in his deal with Netflix of late.
He directed limited series ‘Painkiller,’ which spent five weeks in the Global Top 10 TV List (English), garnering 29.1 million views. And more recently, ‘American Primeval’ was on the same list for four weeks, racking up 35.1 million views following its debut in January.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, four of America’s top college football stars set their fame aside to enlist in the Marines. As they prepare for the brutal invasion… Read the Plot
Now, via Deadline, the first project from the renewed contract is in the works, with Nicholas Galitzine and Bill Skarsgård attached to star in ‘Mosquito Bowl,’ which finds him in true-story territory (and sports, something which he’s done well with in the past).
Related Article: ‘Masters of the Universe’: Nicholas Galitzine to Play He-Man in the New Movie
What’s the story of ‘Mosquito Bowl’?
Bill Skarsgård in the Horror/Thriller film ‘Locked’, a The Avenue release. Photo courtesy of The Avenue.
The new movie is based on Buzz Bissinger’s New York Times bestseller ‘The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II.’
The film is set after the attack on Pearl Harbor, when four of America’s top college football stars set their fame aside to enlist in the Marines.
As they prepare for the brutal invasion of Okinawa, they take part in a legendary game featuring some of the greatest players in history –– a game that, for many, will be the last they ever play.
We don’t yet know what roles Galitzine and Skarsgård are playing, but we can see them as two of the gridiron stars.
Berg is working once again with ‘The Revenant’ writer Mark L. Smith on the movie, continuing their partnership after collaborating on ‘American Primeval.’ We predict this one, while it doesn’t exactly have a happy ending (see: World War II and survival rates), should at least be slightly more positive than the hard-bitten frontier series.
And that’s not the only reunion here –– ‘Mosquito Bowl’ sees Berg back partnering with Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer, who backed on the hit football movie ‘Friday Night Lights’ (which perhaps not-so-coincidentally was also based on a Bissinger tome) and the series take that followed. The pair are developing a reboot of the latter.
Where else can we see Nicholas Galitzine?
(L to R) Nicholas Galitzine and Anne Hathaway star in ‘The Idea of You’. Credit: Courtesy of Prime. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.
The rising star, who broke out with movies including ‘Purple Hearts’ and ‘The Idea of You’ (the latter opposite Anne Hathaway), has also been seen in historical TV drama ‘Mary & George’ with Julianne Moore, and ‘Red White and Royal Blue.’
His big new role is leading Amazon’s new take on ‘Masters of the Universe,’ which is in production now and will be on screens on June 5th, 2026.
In addition to that, he’s part of the cast for mystery drama ‘Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie,’ which was also touted at Amazon’s recent CinemaCon presentation, the indie movie ‘100 Nights of Hero’ and has lent his voice to animated pic ‘Wings of Freedom.’
What else has Bill Skarsgård worked on?
Bill Skarsgård in ‘The Crow.’ Photo Credit: Larry Horricks for Lionsgate.
Skarsgård, who has become something of a chameleon when it comes to roles, most recently put his skills on display in Robert Eggers’ Oscar-nominated ‘Nosferatu,’ which became Focus Features’ second highest-grossing film ever at the domestic box office following its Christmas Day debut.
Right now, the actor is starring opposite Anthony Hopkins in ‘Locked,’ the new thriller from director David Yarovesky.
And upcoming? He has ‘Dead Man’s Wire’ from Gus Van Sant, Michael Sarnoski’s ‘The Death of Robin Hood’ (which stars Hugh Jackman), and TV prequel ‘It: Welcome to Derry,’ for HBO/Max, where he reprises his breakout role as Pennywise the Clown.
There’s also historical drama ‘Emperor,’ Lee Tamahori’s movie about young Johanna “Of Ghent”, who seeks revenge on the holy Roman Emperor Charles V for the death of her father.
With Sophie Cookson as Johanna and Adrien Brody as the emperor, Skarsgård plays Philip II of Spain.
What else is Peter Berg developing?
Director Peter Berg. Photo: Daniel McFadden/Netflix.
Berg has recently worked on a documentary about music superstar Rihanna.
In addition to his own directorial gigs, Berg is a consistently busy producer, supporting other people’s work. He’s behind new TV series ‘Green Beret’s Guide to Surviving the Apocalypse’ and two movies.
‘The Beast’ stars Samuel L. Jackson and Joel Kinnaman in the story of the US President needing to rely on the defensive capabilities of his titular, tricked-out, secure main transport car when a militia of unidentified hostiles coordinates a coup against the U.S. That one has Renny Harlin in the director’s driving seat.
There’s also the in-development ‘Olympus,’ about a decorated soldier turned spy who finds out he is descended from the Greek Gods and could actually be humanity’s last hope. The movie appears to be in development limbo, but does feature a script from prolific TV creator Taylor Sheridan.
When will ‘Mosquito Bowl’ be on screens?
Netflix has yet to announce when the movie might hit its servers, but given that it has reached the casting stage, we’d be shocked if it wasn’t ready for release next year.
(L to R) Linda Fiorentino and Peter Berg in ‘The Last Seduction’. Photo: October Films.