Ben Affleck To Star in Hoops Film ‘The Way Back,’ Releasing In March

Looking to join the pantheon of classic basketball-themed films (Hoosiers, Glory Road and Coach Carter come to mind, though it’s been a while since a really good one has come out), Ben Affleck is set to star in The Way Back, due in theaters from Warner Bros. in March.

In the film, Affleck’s Jack Cunningham once had a life filled with promise. In high school, he was a basketball phenom with a full university scholarship, when suddenly, for reasons unknown, he walked away from the game, forfeiting his future. Now years later, Jack is spiraling down, triggered by an unspeakable loss, and drowning in the alcoholism that cost him his marriage and any hope for a better life.

When he is asked to coach the basketball team at his alma mater, which has fallen far since his glory days, he reluctantly accepts, surprising no one more than himself. As the boys start to come together as a team and win, Jack may have finally found a reason to confront the demons that have derailed him. But will it be enough to fill the void, heal the deep wounds of his past, and set him on the road to redemption?

The film is directed by Gavin O’Connor (“The Accountant,” “Warrior”). Gordon Gray, Jennifer Todd, Gavin O’Connor and Ravi Mehta produced the film, written by Brad Ingelsby. Robert J. Dohrmann, Brad Ingelsby, Kevin McCormick, Mark Ciardi, Aaron L. Gilbert, Jason Cloth, Kaitlyn Taaffe Cronholm, and Madison Ainley served as executive producers.

The Way Back also stars Al Madrigal (“Night School”), Michaela Watkins (TV’s “Casual”), Janina Gavankar (TV’s “True Blood”) and Glynn Turman (“Bumblebee”).