The new film “Fantasy Football” showcases the natural talent of its stars.
Marsai Martin brings an infectious energy to her role as Callie Coleman, a tech-savvy young woman whose father’s long career in the NFL lands him with the Atlanta Falcons team.
Her production company is behind the family-friendly film, which marks a milestone for Martin, 18, who set a Guinness World Record in 2020 as the youngest Hollywood executive producer to work on a major production.
Martin, along with her co-stars Omari Hardwick (Bobby Coleman), Rome Flynn (Anderson Fisher), and director Anton Cropper, recently spoke with us at a Falcons game held at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
The group shot several scenes for their movie at the stadium, making the surroundings familiar.
The plot centers around Callie’s father, played by Hardwick, who seems to be at the end of his career when his daughter discovers she can control his moves via playing the Madden football video game.
Martin sees her role as more than just a fun character, highlighting the importance of diversity in technology and the positive message it conveys.
“I’ve met so many girls who are into technology and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) or are all about Black girls coding,” she said. “It’s important to shine a light on it because it’s a very big deal. It’s all about representation.”
For Hardwick, the project gave him the opportunity to tap into his football roots.
Before becoming famous for his work in roles like James “Ghost” St. Patrick on “Power,” the Savannah, Georgia native played as a defensive back at the University of Georgia and later tried out with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent.
“It feels incredible to be right back here at home,” Hardwick said. “This is obviously my hometown team…but I never got to play for the Falcons. With this film, I got to do my thing.”
Hardwick also pointed out that it was fitting that they were attending a game in which the Atlanta Falcons were playing the Chicago Bears, given that Rome Flynn, who plays Bobby Coleman’s rival, the hotshot young quarterback Anderson Fisher, grew up in Chicago.
Flynn told us that unlike their characters, he and Hardwick had no competition between them as leading men.
“It’s all love,” he said, smiling. “We respect each other and we brought out the best in each other.”
“Fantasy Football” debuts Friday on Paramount+.