Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

About Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story is a 2004 American sports comedy film directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber and starring Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller. The film focuses on the journey of a team of average Joes who must band together to save their local gym from a corporate health fitness chain. The only way to do this is to compete in a dodgeball tournament with a cash prize that would keep their gym in business.

Making / Production

The film is produced by 20th Century Fox and Red Hour Films. It was written and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, who was chosen by Stiller for his unique style and humorous approach to storytelling. The director's vision led to Dodgeball becoming an iconic comedy film.

Actors

• Vince Vaughn played Peter LaFleur, the owner of Average Joe's Gym. Vaughn brought his impeccable comedic timing and loveable loser sensibility to the role.
• Ben Stiller played White Goodman, the egotistical and over-the-top owner of the Globo Gym. Stiller's comedic exaggerations made Goodman a memorable villain.
• Christine Taylor played Kate Veatch, an attorney caught in the rivalry between the two gym owners. Taylor added a strong female element to the cast and was wonderful in presenting her character as both charming and capable.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Vince Vaughn performed most of his own dodgeball stunts in the film due to his athletic background.
• Ben Stiller gained weight specifically for his role in the film to portray Goodman as a physical behemoth.
• A dodgeball consultant was hired for the film to ensure realism in the dodgeball scenes.

Awards

The movie won the ESPY Awards for Best Sports Movie in 2005.

Quotes

• "If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball." - Patches O'Houlihan
• "Nobody makes me bleed my own blood. Nobody!" - White Goodman
• "You're about as useful as a poopie-flavored lollipop." - Patches O'Houlihan

Music, Soundtrack

• "Lady in Red" by Chris de Burgh
• "Mr. Roboto" by Styx
• "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC