Who would play Warner on silver screen?

The life and career of Kurt Warner would make a great movie. Record-setting Super Bowl quarterback, devout born-again Christian, devoted family man. His career has seen the highest peaks and the deepest valleys. He’s lifted two downtrodden NFL franchises to sport’s highest platform.

It’s really unbelievable, only it’s all true. And if the Arizona Cardinals find a way to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII on February 1st in Tampa, you can bet the screenwriters are going to start putting pen to paper (if they haven’t already).

So, we got to thinking…who would be cast in “Stubble”, a movie about Warner’s life and career? Here’s some possiblities…

Dennis Quaid. The go-to guy when it comes to sports movies. Quaid’s already played a quarterback (Any Given Sunday), an All-American halfback (Everybody’s All-American), and a coach (The Express). He’s also played a longshot pitcher (The Rookie) and a cyclist (Breaking Away).
Pros: He seems pretty athletic, he’s pulled off other sports movies.
Cons: He’s 54 years old, and he’s left-handed.

Matthew Fox. Pulls off the Warner stubble better than any other candidate. He hasn’t done a lot in the way of sports movies, only playing assistant coach Red Dawson in “We Are Marshall”. He may throw like a girl for all we know.
Pros: Did we mention the stubble?
Cons: Was on Party of Five.

George Clooney. Did back-to-back football movies, starring in “Leatherheads” and was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of a Tampa Bay Buccaneer wide receiver in “Michael Clayton”. Wait, what do you mean that wasn’t a football movie?
Pros: Seems athletic according to reports of his pickup basketball prowess.
Cons: Ten years older than Warner, and due to his “eligible bachelor” lifestyle, might have a hard time convincing people he’s a devout family man.

Colin Farrell. No real sports movie background to speak of, but he is the son of Irish soccer player Eamon Farrell.
Pros: He’s relatively close in age to Warner, he’s 32.
Cons: Has anyone seen a Colin Farrell movie? Ever? His movies have grossed $97.50, but he’s a huge star.

Matt Leinart. He’s got the Hollywood good looks, wears the stubble well, and acting seems like a logical next step for the USC Golden Boy.
Pros: Not much rehearsal time necessary, as he’s been Warner’s understudy all year anyway.
Cons: We’re not convinced he can pull off the role of an NFL quarterback.

Meryl Streep. Has no sports movies on her resume.
Pros: Is there any part she can’t play?
Cons: Stubble would turn into a 4-hour epic. Anything more than 1 hour and 40 minutes, and we’re tuning out.

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Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Kurt Warner, Matt Leinart