Entertainment Magazine

"Kicking & Screaming"

About the Production

The Cast

Release date: May 13, 2005

Genre: Comedy
Cast: Will Ferrell, Robert Duvall, Mike Ditka, Kate Walsh
Directed by: Jesse Dylan
Writers: Leo Benvenuti & Steve Rudnick
Producers: Jimmy Miller, Charles Roven
Executive Producers: Judd Apatow, Daniel Lupi

Welcome to that cutthroat, hyper-competitive, do-or-die sport of...little league soccer, a world where kids and their victory-crazed suburban parents find themselves on a high-stakes collision course—all in the name of good, clean, athletic fun.

At the epicenter of this overzealous world is Phil Weston (WILL FERRELL), a gentle, New-Agey vitamin salesman who, by default, ends up coaching his sweet 10year-old son Sam’s (DYLAN McLAUGHLIN) last-place team, the Tigers.

This would be tough enough for the super-supportive Phil, who truly believes it’s not whether you win or lose but if your soul gets nurtured. But when he’s pitted against his gung-ho, relentlessly competitive father Buck (ROBERT DUVALL), who coaches his own young son Bucky’s (JOSH HUTCHERSON) top-ranked team, the Gladiators, a lifetime of putting up with Buck’s overbearing ways finally takes its toll on Phil and, well...the balls hit the field.

Eventually, as Phil and Buck go head-to-head for the soccer league championship, the pair’s past and constant rivalry spins wildly out of control, forcing each to stop at nothing to ensure a winning season. This includes a now-maniacal Phil recruiting the world’s best assistant coach, the legendary Mike Ditka (played by none other than MIKE DITKA), as well as two young Italian soccer prodigies who become the Tigers’ secret weapons.

Can father and son put their rocky past behind, do what’s best for their own children (and grandchild!) and realize that soccer is just a game? Not a chance! May the best coach win.

Universal Pictures Presents A Mosaic Media Group Production of A Jesse Dylan Film: Will Ferrell and Robert Duvall in Kicking & Screaming, starring Kate Walsh and Mike Ditka. JESSE DYLAN (American Wedding) directs from a script by LEO BENVENUTI & STEVE RUDNICK (The Santa Clause). JIMMY MILLER (Elf) produces the film.

Joining Dylan behind the camera are director of photography LLOYD AHERN (Dodgeball), editors STUART PAPPÉ (American Wedding) and PETER TESCHNER (Charlie’s Angels), production designer CLAYTON HARTLEY (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy), costume designer PAMELA WITHERS-CHILTON (American Wedding) and composer MARK ISHAM (Don’t Say a Word). CHARLES ROVEN (Scooby-Doo), JUDD APATOW (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy) and DANIEL LUPI (50 First Dates) serve as executive producers.

Will Ferrell (Elf, Old School) stars in a lively comedy about the cutthroat, hyper- competitive world...of little league soccer.

Kicking & Screaming stars Ferrell as Phil Weston, an average Joe who's had to put up all his life with his overly competitive father, Buck (Robert Duvall). When Phil decides to coach his 10-year-old son's soccer team, he goes head-to-head for the league championship against Buck, who coaches his own young son on the preeminent team of the league. Old scores come into play as Phil and Buck find themselves going to extreme measures to win the championship trophy.

The comedy is directed by Jesse Dylan (American Wedding, How High) and is produced by Jimmy Miller (Elf) and Charles Roven (Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed); the writers are Leo Benvenuti & Steve Rudnick (The Santa Clause, Space Jam). Judd Apatow and Daniel Lupi serve as executive producers.

NEW PRODUCTION NOTES and IMAGES Coaching team Phil Weston (WILL FERRELL, left) and Mike Ditka (MIKE DITKA, right) enter the cutthroat world of little league soccer when Phil takes over his son's team of misfits in the comedy "Kicking & Screaming". Photo Credit: Suzanne Hanover. Copyright: © 2005 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. (top) In his all-out attempt to win the league championship, Phil Weston (WILL FERRELL, left) drafts Football Hall of Famer MIKE DITKA (right) to assistant coach his son's little league soccer team of misfits in the comedy Kicking & Screaming. (left) WILL FERRELL stars as Phil Weston, who enters the cutthroat world of little league soccer when he coaches his son's team of misfits in the comedy Kicking & Screaming. Photo Credits: Suzanne Hanover. Copyright: © 2005 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.