Academy Award winning production company Imagine Entertainment and Seine Pictures in association with Exclusive Media are getting set to begin shooting the true-story feature film “Pele” in September, 2013. Casting directors in Los Angeles and New York are conducting an international talent search seeking an actor or soccer player to play the role of the legendary Pele. Filming will take place in Brazil from September 2, 2013 through October 15, 2013. The film’s extras will be hired locally in Brazil.
“Pele” tells the story of the most famous soccer player in the history of the game, Dico nicknamed Pele. It will follow his rise to glory from impoverished youth in Brazil to a soccer prodigy who led soccer-mad Brazil to its first-ever World Cup title in 1958, when at age 17 he became the youngest player to play in the final, scoring two goals to beat Sweden. His teams won three World Cup titles. Pelé is regarded by many experts, football critics, former players, current players and football fans in general as the best player of all time.
Writers Guild of America WGA Award nominees Jeff and Michael Zimbalist will direct “Pele” from their own screenplay. The two brothers are highly respected documentary filmmakers and have collaborated with eminent names in the entertainment industry, such as Quincy Jones, Shakira, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mick Jagger, Javier Bardem, Russell Simmons, and Naomi Campbell. The Zimbalists have made several documentaries in South America, including “Favela Rising” which was also in Brazil.
Academy Award winner Brian Grazer will produce under the banner of his production company Imagine Entertainment, along with President of Production Kim Roth. Producers Guild of America PGA Award winner Colin Wilson will also produce. Wilson has produced such blockbuster hit films as “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,” “War of the Worlds,” “Avatar,” and “Zero Dark Thirty”. Ivan Orlic will produce for Seine Pictures. Executive producers are Pele, Paul Kemsley, and Sarah Bowen.
Pele Talent Search Details
Casting directors in Los Angeles and New York are accepting submissions from talent who are able to portray the world famous soccer star Pele. Here is what the requirements are:
• Male, 14-21 years of age.
• Able to portray a teenaged Afro-Brazilian.
• Must speak Brazilian Portuguese.
• Must also speak basic English.
• Prefer soccer ability but not necessary.
To be considered, submit the following information:
• Name, Age, Height
• Language Skills (English and Portuguese)
• Football Skills, Other Talents (dance, capoeira, etc)
• Head Shots
• Full Body Shots
• Videos if possible
• All contact information including phone number.
Email to: castingpele@gmail.com
Principal Actor Casting
See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit for acting roles.
Submit photos and resumes by mail only.
No phone calls or personal drop-offs.
Los Angeles:
Mary Vernieu
Michelle Wade Byrd
Betty Mae Casting
13375 Beach Avenue
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
New York:
Henry Russell Bergstein
c/o Vineyard Theatre
108 E. 15th Steet
New York, NY 10003
Extras Casting
Brazil:
TBA
Casting calls for extras will be posted here. Check back.
Production Companies:
Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies, as they will most likely end up being thrown away. They do not cast the films, rather they hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.
Imagine Entertainment
9465 Wilshire Boulevard
Seventh Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Seine Pictures
9229 Sunset Blvd.
Suite 610
Los Angeles, CA 90069
Exclusive Media
9100 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 401 East
Beverly Hills, CA, 90212
Executive Producers: Pele, Paul Kemsley, Sarah Bowen
Producers:
Brian Grazer, Ivan Orlic, Kim Roth, Colin Wilson
Directors: Jeff Zimbalist, Michael Zimbalist
Starring: To Be Cast
Story:
This is the story of the poor Afro-Brazilian boy who rose from poverty in his native Brazil, and lead his ragtag teammates to an unprecedented victory in the 1958 World Cup.