English actor Taron Egerton broke out with the role of Gary “Eggsy” Unwin in British-American spy film “Kingsman: The Secret Service” earlier this year. The tremendous success of the film helped launch his career as the young rising star began receiving offers to act in a number of high-budgeted movies.
However, if you thought Egerton would star in another dashing role, you thought wrong.
After starring opposite Tom Hardy in “Legend” , Egerton will be seen next in “Eddie The Eagle”, a biopic about Great Britain’s first ski jumper Michael Edwards.
The young actor is playing Edwards, looking nearly unrecognisable since we last saw him in “Kingsman”. His character is an unlikely folk hero who becomes the UK’s first Olympic ski jumper. Despite finishing last in the 70-meter and 90-meter jumps at the 1988 Calgary Olympics, he became famous as an example of an underdog or “heroic failure”, and of perseverance and achievement without funding.
Edwards learned how to ski jump under John Viscome and Chuck Berghorn’s guidance in the 1980s. His lack of success endeared him to people around the globe. The worse he performed, the more popular he became. He eventually became a media celebrity and appeared on talk shows around the world.
However, none of the coaches will be portrayed in the movie. Hugh Jackman is playing Bronson Peary, a fictional hard-drinking coach who agrees to train Edwards who has a dream of participating in the Winter Olympics. The film will show how Edwards transitioned from an awkward athlete to a famed Olympian with his unwavering determination and indomitable spirit.
Dexter Fletcher is bringing the underdog story to the big screen, which marks the 3rd feature film that Fletcher has directed. The movie, which also stars Christopher Walken and Mark Beton, reunites Egerton with “Kingsman” director Matthew Vaughn, who only serves as a producer here.
Watch the trailer of “Eddie the Eagle” below:
“Eddie the Eagle” is slated for release on 26th February 2016.
For more information, visit the movie’s official Facebook page.
