Taika Waititi’s Next Film NEXT GOAL WINS About American Samoan Soccer Team Begins Production

Fox Searchlight Pictures announced on Thursday that it has acquired Worldwide rights to NEXT GOAL WINS, the new feature from director Taika Waititi (JOJO RABBIT, THOR: RAGNAROK). The film began production last week in Honolulu, Hawaii.  NEXT GOAL WINS is written by Waititi and Iain Morris, and stars Michael Fassbender (STEVE JOBS, 12 YEARS A SLAVE) and Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale, US).

Waititi is producing alongside Jonathan Cavendish and Garrett Basch, with Andy Serkis, Will Tennant, and Kathryn Dean serving as executive producers.  Additional producers include Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, who directed the 2014 documentary from which the film is based. 

The film will be overseen by Presidents of Production for Film and Television David Greenbaum and Matthew Greenfield, SVP of Production DanTram Nguyen, and VP Production Taylor Friedman.

NEXT GOAL WINS tells the story of the American Samoa soccer team,  who suffered the worst loss in World Cup history, losing to Australia 31-0 in 2001. With the 2014 World Cup approaching, the team recruits a down on his luck, maverick coach (Fassbender) to help turn their fate around.

Rounding out the ensemble cast are Oscar Kightley (Aroha Bridge, THE BREAKER UPPERERS), David Fane (The Barefoot Bandits, Westside), Beulah Koale (Hawaii Five-0,  ENEMY WITHIN), Lehi Falepapalangi (Future Man, Hawaii Five-0), Semu Filipo (Harry, SHOW OF HANDS), Uli Latukefu (ALIEN: COVENANT, MARCO POLO), Rachel House (MOANA, THOR: RAGNAROK) and Kaimana in her debut role.

Waititi stated, “I’ve just started production on my next film, NEXT GOAL WINS. We have such an amazing cast and crew behind this film, and I’m stoked to be partnering once again with the lovely people at Fox Searchlight Pictures.”

“Taika is an incredible talent and master at bringing honesty and humanity to the surface in any story.  We are thrilled to be working with him again on such an extraordinary true story of perseverance in the face of defeat. He has brought together a terrific group of actors, craftspeople and sports players to bring this unique story to life,” said Greenfield and Greenbaum.

NEXT GOAL WINS is an Imaginarium / Defender / Garrett Basch Production for Fox Searchlight Pictures.