If I’m not mistaken, my introduction to soccer (or football) legend Pelé was the 1987 film Hotshot. Like any ten-year-old I wanted to run out and do bicycle kicks, but the same year North Shore came out and I wanted to run off and be a surfer.
Now Pelé’s life is getting a feature film treatment and with production underway, Seine Pictures sent over the above first look picture at the film and Leonardo Lima Carvalho as Pele (or Dico as he was known in his younger years), playing with a “football” made of socks in the alleys of Bauru where he grew up.
The film is directed by Jeff and Michael Zimbalist and stars Kevin de Paula as Pelé, Diego Boneta, Colm Meaney and Seu Jorge with Vincent D’Onofrio and Rodrigo Santoro in final negotiations to join the cast.
Pelé tells the miraculous story of the legendary soccer player’s rise to glory from a young boy to the 17 year old player who scored the winning goal in Brazil’s first ever World Cup victory in 1958. From a life full of disadvantages and an impoverished youth in Brazil, Pelé used his unorthodox yet authentic style of play and his unbeatable spirit to overcome all odds, find greatness and inspire a country that he changed forever.
Vincent D’Onofrio will play the Brazilian team’s World Cup coach Feola and Diego Boneta will play Jose, Pelé’s arch rival and responsible for giving him the nickname ‘Pelé’ when they were children. Seu Jorge has also joined the cast to play Pelé’s father, Dondinho, alongside newcomers Kevin de Paula who will play Pelé from age 13-17 and Leonardo Lima Carvalho who will play him at age 10. Colm Meaney will play the role of Coach Raynor, the Swedish World Cup coach.
