Brazilian football (soccer) star Pele (birth name Edson Arantes do Nascimento) is considered by many to be the best player the game has ever seen. The star was also instrumental in the rise of soccer in the U.S., where he played in the twilight of his career with the New York Cosmos of the now defunct North American Soccer League from 1975-1977. With such a luminary as a subject, it only seems fitting that the recently wrapped biopic of Pele’s life story be guided through post-production by one of the industry’s finest. Three time Oscar winner and frequent Stephen Spielberg collaborator Michael Kahn has agreed to come on board to edit Pele, THR reports.
Kahn won Oscars in 1982, 1994, and 1999 for Raiders of the Lost Ark, Schindler’s List, and Saving Private Ryan, respectively, and has been nominated five times further, including last year for Lincoln. That expertise figures to come in handy, as Pele was written and directed by Jeff and Michael Zimbalist, a pair of established documentarians taking their first crack at narrative filmmaking.
Pele himself is being played by newcomer Kevin de Paula, with the cast filled out by Rodrigo Santoro (300), Diego Boneta (Rock of Ages), Vincent D’Onofrio (Escape Plan), Colm Meaney (The Snapper), and Seu Jorge (City of God).
We’re eagerly anticipating the first footage from this film, as football (soccer) action is notoriously difficult to film, and replicating the high-flying tricks of one of the sport’s all time greats would be a challenge for anyone. With Kahn on board, it seems we’re one step closer to a trailer.
Pele was produced by Exclusive Media Group and Imagine Entertainment and is expected to release in 2014, although it is still seeking distribution.
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