The cast list has just been announced for Taika Waititi‘s upcoming film Next Goal Wins. The film will feature Michael Fassbender in the main role as Thomas Rongen, a Dutch soccer coach who attempts to turn a team of ragtag American Samoan players into winners. Elizabeth Moss will also star in an undisclosed role.
The supporting cast members include Oscar Kightley, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Lehi Falepapalangi, Semu Filipo, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, and Kaimana, the last of whom will be making their acting debut. However, Kaimana’s casting is much needed, since it will break more industry boundaries for an actor who identifies as non-binary. More specifically, they identify as fa’afafine, a Samoan term that means neither male or female. Kaimana will portray Jaiyah Saelua, the first non-binary player in a men’s FIFA World Cup qualifier. Waititi considered casting the real life player, but apparently that didn’t work out.
The film is based on a 2014 documentary of the same name. The screenplay was written by both Waititi and Iain Morris while Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, directors of the 2014 documentary, will serve as producers. Because Waititi is scheduled to shoot Thor: Love and Thunder in early 2020, production for Next Goal Wins began last week.
Although the film’s release date hasn’t been announced, it will probably be released before the end of 2020.
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