The animation studio behind “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” is ready to bring audiences their next action-comedy set in an all-animal world. “GOAT” follows a small goat named Will with a big dream – to play pro Roarball. The sport is dominated by some of the fiercest animals, but Will wants to prove to all that “smalls can ball!”
“GOAT” will arrive in theaters on February 13th
The Movie Couple had the pleasure of participating in the virtual press conference to learn more about the upcoming animated feature. The panel includes director Tyree Dilihay, producer Erick Peyton, Stephen Curry, Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union, and Patton Oswalt.
What Is the Inspiration Behind “Goat”?
Director Tyree Dilihay initially heard about the idea of the film from Sony’s Kristine Belson, who had a wish for a sports movie set in an all-animal world. It turns out the film just happened to be produced by basketball superstar Stephen Curry.
Erick Peyton: We stepped in on this movie about six years ago, and it really started in a tiny little room. And me and Stephen, we’re visiting Sony, and they presented us the idea for the film, which was “GOAT”. And for us, you know, as soon as we knew it was inspirational, as soon as we knew it was set in a basketball world, we were all the way in.
Stephen Curry: I think just the authenticity, and the things that I see of myself in Will’s character and his story arc. We knew that the story that we could tell, it’s set in obviously roarball and basketball, an all-animal world, but it’s not just a sports story. It’s something that I think for, you know, the entire family to come and enjoy. So we knew that we’d have a great opportunity to reach a lot of people with this.
“GOAT” Is Inspired By Stephen Curry’s Own Personal Journey
In the film, Will dreams of playing pro roarball – a sport that’s usually played by the biggest and most ferocious animals in the world. Despite being told over and over that he is simply too small to ball, Will’s dedication drives him into wanting to revolutionize the game and prove that he belongs in the league. Curry saw the parallel between his own path and Wil’s journey
Stephen Curry: I just think the idea of, obviously, dreaming big, and just that underdog kinda mentality – when you have critics and naysayers, and you don’t look the part.
Curry reminisce:
Stephen Curry: I grew up in a basketball family, but my journey couldn’t have been further from the NBA kid. It was right in my face of how much of a late bloomer I was, how much I’d have to earn everything I got. Because all I heard was what I couldn’t do, or I wasn’t big enough, or I wasn’t fast enough. And you start to try to compare yourself to people at your stage. Running your own race, living your own journey, and being ready for when your moment is there is a lot of what I see in myself and Will.
Caleb McLaughlin Knew the Movie Would Be A Hit After Seeing One Particular Scene
In ”GOAT”, audiences will not only see Will’s journey to prove his worth, but also see the arc of roarball star Jett Fillmore (voiced by Gabrielle Union) facing the pressure of pro-sport and how it can affect the rest of the Thornes’ team. After watching a particular scene, McLaughlin (voice of Will) knew the movie will be a hit.
Caleb McLaughlin: Last year we were recording, and Tyree was like, “You want to see some of the footage that is done and we finished?” And it was the scene where Jett is having the struggle of passing the baton. And that scene was so funny to me. And I’m like, this is a hit. That’s how I felt. Because you saw the whole team. You saw everyone’s personality come together. And in that little moment, I the cord already. I saw how we were going to work, the foundation and like the support group that everyone is showing in the movie and like how many different personalities there are in the world that will come to this theater and relate to everyone individually.
Gabrielle Union On Playing An Inspirational Character That Kids Everywhere Will Look Up To
Jett Fillmore is known as the GOAT in the world of roarball. She also serves as the main inspiration for Will. There’s a moment where Will claims, “I want to be her.” Actress Gabrielle Union speaks on playing a character that boys and girls can grow up wanting to emulate.
Gabrielle Union: I mean, it’s huge. You know, growing up as an athlete, and, you know, you’re looking up to, you know, to older girls and teens and women, and it feels like a world away. Like, I’m never gonna be that good. You know what I mean? Growing up and I‘m looking at Teresa Weatherspoon, and I’m looking at Sheryl Swoopes, I’;m looking at, you know, Lisa Leslie. We’re the same age. So while I was, like, getting, like, 17 and seven, she was like, “I had a hundred.” [laugh] Our trajectory’s gonna be a little different. But we were always encouraged to look to, you know, these, like, Herculean efforts as that is greatness.
Union talks of her own evolution that paralleled Jett’s journey in the film.
Gabrielle Union: And I recognize now as I, you know, went from a bull in a China shop type of woman to learning different leadership styles. And different ways of communicating to be a better teammate in life and on the court. And Jett has a very similar journey. And so I’m just honored to be able to play, you know, Jett, and to be a part of this. And hopefully play a character that boys and girls can grow up to want to emulate.
This Is Stephen Curry’s First Voice Acting Role
Stephen Curry is not only a producer on the film, but also lends his voice to Lenny the giraffe. Lenny plays on the Thorns team alongside Jett, Olivia, Moda, and Archie. Curry speaks on his character’s traits.
Stephen Curry: “He was on an emotional roller coaster. He was focused, not focused. He’s worried about basketball. He’s worried about music. But you realize he just has pure joy in his heart, but if it’s channeled in the right direction, it kinda uplifts everybody naturally. And so I feel like I have a little bit of that in my DNA when it comes to how I kind of approach life. So it’s fun to tap into that. And have some fun. Like just let myself go, you know, behind the mic.”
On his first time being in a recording booth and playing an animated character:
Stephen Curry: He was on an emotional roller coaster. He was focused, not focused. He’s worried about basketball. He’s worried about music. But you realize he just has pure joy in his heart, but if it’s channeled in the right direction, it kinda uplifts everybody naturally. And so I feel like I have a little bit of that in my DNA when it comes to how I kind of approach life. So it’s fun to tap into that. And have some fun. Like just let myself go, you know, behind the mic.
Director Tyree Dilihay chimes in on working with Curry in the booth and his dedication to the role. “Stephen came in with such humility. The first thing he said to us was, “I’m coachable.” And he submitted to the process of voice acting. And he went at in wholeheartedly.”, Dilihay said.
Tyree Dilihay: Stephen will tell you. I’m in the booth with all of these actors while we’re doing it. I’m not operating from the control room. And Stephen left the booth sweating. It’s almost like we played a good four quarters over the course of that session. So he put in the work. He put in the time. And he allowed me to bring things out of him I don’t even think he knew he could do. We got some really great moments out of you, so thanks, Stephen, for being a good sport about it.
The official synopsis for “GOAT”
From Sony Pictures Animation, the studio behind Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, comes GOAT, an original action-comedy set in an all-animal world. The story follows Will, a small goat with big dreams who gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to join the pros and play roarball – a high-intensity, co-ed, full-contact sport dominated by the fastest, fiercest animals in the world. Will’s new teammates aren’t thrilled about having a little goat on their roster, but Will is determined to revolutionize the sport and prove once and for all that “smalls can ball!”
