In his near-25-year career, BAFTA nominee Matthew Vaughn has dominated the big screen while only flirting with executive producer work in television and now he’s found his first directorial project with the UK soccer drama Day 1’s, in which he is partnering up with Entourage creator Doug Ellin and French soccer star Thierry Henry, according to Deadline.
RELATED: Exclusive: Kevin Dillon Confirms Entourage Creator Considering Revival!
Created by Ellin and Chris Case (Mad About You), the series will center on a young footballer named Dezmond King as he and his crew navigate his growing stature and struggles in the world of European futbol, very much in line with Ellin’s previous hit HBO comedy centered on a rising movie star and his crew navigating the world of Hollywood.
“I love writing about friends who are family and this show gives us a great new platform to do that,” Ellin said in a statement. “Chris and I are going deep inside the life of an elite athlete to explore the world of Premier League football, a world we find more exciting, interesting, and even crazy, by the day. We’re thrilled to be partnered with Thierry and Darren whose first-hand knowledge and expertise lends great authenticity, and to have a visionary like Matthew Vaughn on board to bring this show to life couldn’t be more exciting.”
Vaughn, who is currently awaiting to unveil the third installment in his Kingsman franchise after numerous COVID-related release delays, is set to direct the pilot, with filming slated to begin in 2021 and casting currently underway. Vaughn will produce the 10-episode series via his UK production banner Marv while Henry, who cameoed in Ellin’s Entourage movie, will appear in the series as himself and executive produce alongside his long-term agent Darren Dein and Liza Marshall’s Hera Pictures co-producing.
“For my first journey into television I couldn’t have a better partner than Doug,” Vaughn said in a statement, “and with Thierry and Darren to guide us on the football, it’s a dream come true.”
RELATED: Taron Egerton to Star in Apple’s Tetris Biopic From Matthew Vaughn
“Entourage was one of my favourite TV shows and when Doug invited me on set to film my brief cameo appearance in the movie, I never would have thought that I would be part of bringing a new TV show to life,” Henry said in a statement. “I’m also incredibly excited that Matthew Vaughn has agreed to bring his vast expertise and knowledge to the series along with many more extremely talented individuals. Hopefully I can share some of my experiences as this topic is much closer to my heart.”
(Photo Credits: Getty Images)
