Studio:
Paramount Pictures.
Production Company:
Unknown.
Project Phase: In The Can.
Who's In It:
James Van Der Beek (Jonathan Moxon); Jon Voight (Coach Bud Kilmer); Paul Walker (Lance Harbor);
Scott Caan (Tweeder); Thomas F. Duffy (Sam Moxon); Joe Pichler (Kyle Moxon); Amy Smart
(Julie Harbor); Ali Larter (Darcy); Ron Lester (Billy Bob); Eliel Swinton (Wendell Brown).
Who's Making It:
Brian Robbins (Director); John Gatins, W. Peter Iliff (Screenwriters); Tova Laiter, Mike Tollin
(Producers); David Gale, Van Toffler (Executive Producers); Elysa Koplovitz (Associate
Producer); Charles Cohen (Director of Photography); Jaymes Hinkle (Production Designer);
Ned Bastille (Editor); Wendy Chuck (Costume Designer); Mark Isham (Musical Score).
Premise: In his 35th year as head coach, Bud Kilmer is trying to lead his West Canaan Coyotes to their 23rd division title. Uncompromising and omnipotent, Kilmer is God in the small Texas town, as long as the team is winning.
But when star quarterback Lance Harbor suffers a season-ending injury, the Coyotes are forced to regroup under the questionable leadership of second-string quarterback Jonathan Moxon. His irreverent attitude and approach to football come into direct conflict with the coachÆs inflexible game plan. Who will win this psychological battle?
Release Date: January 15, 1999.
Comments: James Van Der Beek, the last but not least member of the Dawson Creek pack to cash in on his recent popularity, makes his leading man film debut. He plays a really anti-Dawson character who apparently uses the F-word (*gasp!*) a few times and has...(is thsi right?)...sex...with his girlfriend. Under a bridge.
Ohmygoodnessme.
Rumors: Unknown.
Scoop Feedback:
[Page draft submitted by 'Deadpool', who lives just down the road from Dawson's Creek.] January 14, 1999... Read the review of Varsity Rules:
"Every generation has it's share of mandatory movies. You know, coming of age type things, puberty, high school clickishness and rebellion. How dumb parents are, that sort of thing.
"James Van Der Beek, TV's hunk-du-jour, plays John 'Mox' Moxon, the thoughtful, intelligent, backup quarterback who's the bane of his high school coach, Bud Kilmer (Jon Voight). The rest is extremely predictable.
"This thing takes place in football-mad Texas, and that tells half the story right there. Mox's father (Thomas F. Duffy) is a moron who's more interested in football than his son's college prospects. His girlfriend Jules (Amy Smart) turns away in disgust when our hero becomes quarterback after his predecessor Lance (Paul Walker) gets injured during a game. Of course, Lance's girlfriend Darcy (Ali Larter) starts coming on to our hero almost immediately. Like DUHHHHHHH.
"The supporting cast is pretty good. Stewart, Walker, Ron Lester, Eliel Swinton and Scott Caan all do workmanlike jobs as stereotypical supporting players. Voight chews the scenery brilliantly just like he always does.
"But unless you're still in high school or younger and have never seen this kind of thing before, you'll have a massive attack of deja vu. But since there's a huge amount of kids out there who won't. We'll keep seeing this movie being remade again and again for all eternity."
[Reviewed by Eric Lurio.]
The Tag Line:
"Make your own rules."