The Challenger (2015 film)
{{short description|2015 film by Kent Moran}}
{{about|the 2015 U.S. sports drama film|"The Challenger", the 2013 UK TV movie|The Challenger Disaster|films with similar titles|Challenger (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox film
| name = The Challenger
| image = The_Challenger_Movie_Theatrical_Poster_2015.jpg
| alt =
| caption = The Challenger Theatrical Poster
| director = Kent Moran
| producer = {{plainlist|
- Kent Moran
- Adam Hawkey
- Ellyette Eleni
}}
| writer = Kent Moran
| starring = {{plainlist|
- Kent Moran
- Michael Clarke Duncan
- S. Epatha Merkerson
- Frank Watson
- Stan Carp
- Ernie Sabella
- Justin Hartley
}}
| music = Pinar Toprak
| cinematography = Giacomo Belletti
| editing = Kent Moran
Anthony Muzzatti
| studio = Wishing Well Pictures
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|2015|03|26|Gasparilla International Film Festival|2015|09|11}}
| runtime = 95 minutes
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget =
| gross =
}}
The Challenger is a 2015 American sports drama film written and directed by Kent Moran and executive produced by Michael Clarke Duncan, who also co-stars in his last feature film released three years after his death in 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/dances-with-films-festival-to-open-with-michael-clarke-duncans-last-movie-the-challenger-exclusive/|title=Dances With Films Festival to Open With Michael Clarke Duncan's Last Movie 'The Challenger' (Exclusive)|work=TheWrap}} Additionally, The Challenger features Kent Moran, S. Epatha Merkerson and Justin Hartley.{{cite web|url=http://www.ramascreen.com/michael-clarke-duncan-will-box-the-challenger-with-s-epatha-merkerson/|title=Michael Clarke Duncan Will Box THE CHALLENGER With S. Epatha Merkerson|work=Rama's Screen}}
Filming began in January 2012 in The Bronx, New York, and the film was released domestically on September 11, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://filmpulse.net/dwf-2015-the-challenger-review/|title=DWF 2015: THE CHALLENGER Review|author=Ernie Trinidad|date=2 June 2015|work=Film Pulse}}{{cite web|url=http://www.monkeysfightingrobots.com/kent-moran-talk-filmmaking-boxing-and-the-challenger/|title=Kent Moran Talks Filmmaking, Boxing, And 'The Challenger'|work=Monkeys Fighting Robots}}
Plot
Cast
{{castlist|
- Kent Moran as Jaden
- Michael Clarke Duncan as Duane
- S. Epatha Merkerson as Jada
- Justin Hartley as James{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/07/festival-film-the-challenger-gets-theatrical-release-1201478119/|title='The Challenger,' With Michael Clark Duncan, Gets Theatrical Release – Deadline|author=Ross A. Lincoln|work=Deadline}}
- Frank Watson as Terrence
- Michael Rivera as Sanchez
- Rob Morgan as Frederick
- Stan Carp as Joe
- Robert Pike Daniel as Vincent
- Lindsay Hartley as Stephanie
- Natalie Carter as Aunt Regina
- Tristan Laurence Perez as Maxwell
- Bobby Roman as Rodriguez
- Vladimir Versailles as Alvin
- Ron Denson as Dereck Taylor
- Raushanah Simmons as Laurie
- Victor Pagan as Hector
- Ernie Sabella as Frankie
- Gurdeep Singh as Cashier
- Dion Mucciacito as Dr. Vargas
- Kelvin Hale as Commentator #1
- Jason Horowitz as Commentator #2
- Peter D. Michael as Commentator #3
}}
Production
The film was Kent Moran's directorial debut. He had previously starred in and produced Listen to Your Heart.
Filming began on January 17, 2012, in The Bronx, where the film takes place and wrapped on July 10, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.hngn.com/articles/96246/20150528/kent-moran-talks-film-challenger-michael-clarke-duncan-final-performance-boxing.htm|title=Kent Moran Talks New Boxing Film 'The Challenger' Starring Michael Clarke Duncan In His Final Performance [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]|work=Headlines & Global News}}
Release
= Festival circuit =
;Awards:
- Gasparilla International Film Festival Audience Award Winner 2015
- Nashville Film Festival Audience Award Winner, 2nd Place 2015
- Nashville Film Festival Audience Award Winder, New Directors Competition 2015
- Palm Beach International Film Festival, Audience Award 2015{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1974382/awards|title=The Challenger (I) (2015) : Awards|publisher=IMDb.com|accessdate=2015-09-04}}{{cite web|url=http://www.moviemaker.com/archives/festivals/festival-preview-dances-with-films-2015-sweeps-up-a-storm-in-hollywood/|title=Festival Preview: Dances With Films 2015 Sweeps Up a Storm in Hollywood|work=MovieMaker Magazine}}{{cite web|url=http://allegro-entertainment.com/2015/03/23/kent-morans-the-challenger-world-premiere-march-26/|title=Allegro Entertainment – Kent Moran's "THE CHALLENGER" world premiere March 26|work=allegro-entertainment.com}}
;Placement
Portland Film Festival, Offshoot Film Festival, Great Cleveland Urban Film Festival, Montreal World Film Festival, Beverly Hills Film Festival, Nashville Film Festival, Gasparilla Film Festival, Rhode Island International Film Festival, Palm Beach International Film Festival, Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, Arizona International Film Festival, Dances with Films, Boston International Film Festival, Stony Brook Film Festival (Long Island){{cite web|url=http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/news/local/challenger-cant-quite-fill-rockys-shoes/nkf3c/|title='Challenger' can't quite fill 'Rocky's' shoes|work=palmbeachdailynews.com}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|1974382}}
- {{rotten-tomatoes|the_challenger}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Challenger, The (2015 film)}}
Category:2010s sports drama films
Category:American sports drama films
Category:American boxing films
Category:Films scored by Pinar Toprak
Category:Films set in the Bronx
Category:Films set in the 2010s