Focus Features has released a trailer for the new Woody Harrelson led sports comedy film, Champions. The new movie follows Marcus Marakovich (Harrelson), a former minor league basketball coach who gets himself into trouble. Marcus is ordered by the court to coach a team of players with intellectual disabilities as community service. Although reluctant and initially doubtful about this team, he soon learns that they could become champions in their own right.

Champions reunites Bobby Farelly, who serves as director, Peter Farrelly, and Harrelson for the first time since the 1996 Kingpin, another sports comedy. The Farelly brothers are longtime producing partners, creating acclaimed comedies including Me, Myself, And Irene, Dumb & Dumber, and There's Something About Mary. Harrelson not only stars in Champions but serves as an executive producer as well.


Woody Harrelson's History With Sports Movies Long Precedes Champions


The Champions trailer shows Marcus' downfall from lauded coach to a laughingstock in the sports world, culminating in being sentenced to coaching a team of adults with intellectual disabilities as community service after he rear-ends a police car. Marcus sees little potential in this team, believing them to be uncoachable, but it seems he may have to confront his own shortcomings as a coach before he can truly lead this team. Marcus begins to form connections with the team and Alex, the sister of one of his players, leading to a victory streak. While his success starts to gain attention, potentially leading to another shot at coaching in the NBA, Marcus focuses on leading his team to victory at the regional tournament.

Harrelson has an illustrious film career, including key roles in Star Wars: A Solo Story and Venom: Let There Be Carnage. His career began in the sports comedy genre with the 1986 Wildcats. Champions will feature Harrelson's return to basketball after starring in White Men Can't Jump and Semi-Pro, though this time he'll be acting as a coach rather than a player. Harrelson has shown an impressive ability to infuse comedy, heart, and gruff charm into a mentorship role with films like Edge Of Seventeen and Kingpin.

Harrelson is in top form in the Champions trailer, which demonstrates his chemistry with both veteran actors and newcomers alike. The Champions trailer is full of comedy and heart with a cast that includes not only Harrelson but comedy greats Ernie Hudson, Cheech Marin, and the hilarious Kaitlin Olson. Champions is written by Mark Rizzo and based on a screenplay by Javier Fesser and David Marqués.