About Leatherheads (HBO)

Leatherheads is a nostalgic screwball comedy that brings you back to the early years of professional football. It tells the story of Dodge Connolly, a charming, brash football hero who is determined to guide his team to success. When the team starts to lose its spirit, Dodge convinces a college football star, Carter Rutherford, to join the team to help regain their glory. The movie is a comic trip down memory lane, where love and football intersect in unpredictable ways.

Making / Production

"Leatherheads", released in 2016, was directed by George Clooney. The movie is a combination of romantic comedy and sports drama, which showcases Clooney's versatility and talent both behind and in front of the camera. The film was produced by Universal Pictures and Smokehouse Pictures with Grant Heslov, George Clooney, and Jeffrey Silver serving as the main producers.

Actors

• George Clooney played Dodge Connolly, the team's dashing captain. With his classic charm and comic timing, Clooney effortlessly brought the character to life.
• John Krasinski played Carter Rutherford, the war hero and hotshot college football player. Krasinski infused Carter with likability, lending depth to this all-American character.
• Renee Zellweger played Lexie Littleton, a newspaper reporter and love interest of both Dodge and Carter. Zellweger was praiseworthy for her portrayal of a strong, fearless woman in a male-dominated world.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film is set in 1925, just as professional football was starting to gain popularity.
• For authenticity's sake, the football scenes were choreographed based on actual plays from the 1920s.
• George Clooney did a lot of his own stunts, showing his willingness to bring a sense of truth to his character and the film.

Quotes

• "Sometimes winning is everything." - Dodge Connolly.
• "Football is honest. A man carries the ball, a man tries to stop him. Simple." - Carter Rutherford.
• "You can't believe everything you read in the papers." - Lexie Littleton.

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's score was composed by Randy Newman, providing a perfect backdrop to the on-screen antics.
• Additionally, the soundtrack features several period-appropriate songs that lend an authentic touch to the 1920s setting.
• Highlights include "My Gal Sal", "Paper Moon", and "St. Louis Blues".