The LeBron James Documentary - ‘More Than a Game’

ESPN has prepared a video feature about the inspiration behind the ‘More Than a Game’ documentary. The flick is from first-time director Kris Belman, who followed James and four of his childhood friends as they grew up playing basketball and chasing their dreams in Akron, Ohio. Along with his former teammates and co-stars Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, and Romeo Travis, James was visibly emotional at the end of the packed screening, when the flick drew a five-minute standing ovation from the crowd. From there, the Cavaliers star traveled to Yonge Dundas Square, where cops shut down one of the busiest streets in Toronto for a slam dunk contest for local players. James and company judged the competition, as over 5,000 people cheered on the participants. During the event, James generously donated money to the local St. Albans Boys and Girls Club. See what LeBron himself has to say about his High School Documentary after the jump. Info via ESPN and nydailynews.

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LeBron James' movie 'More Than a Game' will hit theaters in fall 2009

LeBron James is getting closer to becoming a movie star.

The news that Lionsgate has acquired distribution rights for the documentary "More Than a Game" is good news for the Cavaliers star. Lionsgate specializes in releasing and promoting documentaries. It distributed the most successful documentary in history, Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11," which grossed $119 million in 2004.

Lionsgate announced today that it had acquired rights to the documentary, and plans to release it in the fall of 2009.

"More Than a Game," which had its world premiere in September at the Toronto International Film Festival, follows the friendships and basketball exploits of James and his teammates at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron. James is also an executive producer of the film.

Variety reported that it was an unusual deal that also involves sponsors, but terms were not disclosed.

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More Than A Game main cast.

Willie McGee as himself


Sian Cotton as himself


Romeo Travis as himself


Dru Joyce as himself

and


LeBron James as himself

Thom Powers on More Than A Game

"More Than a Game shows how bonds are formed and tested. Belman makes each player as distinct and significant as the celebrity-to-be who plays among them. Coach Dru did a stint in the corporate world before finding meaning mentoring youths and shaping them into a remarkable team. His son, Little Dru, overcame the limitations of his short stature to become an accomplished player. Rounding out the “Fab Four” are Sian, a stocky athlete who also played football; and Willie, whose harsh life experiences have forced him to grow up fast. They became the “Fab Five” with the addition of Romeo Travis, who joined the clique later and had to prove himself."

- Thom Powers

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More Than A Game review

A Harvey Mason Media presentation, in association with Interscope Prods. (International sales: Endeavor Independent, Los Angeles.) Produced by Mason, Kris Belman, Matthew Perniciaro, Kevin Mann. Executive producers, Maverick Carter, LeBron James. Directed by Kristopher Belman. Written by Brad Hogan, Kristopher Belman.

With: LeBron James, Dru Joyce, Romeo Travis, Sian Cotton, Willie McGee.

With superstar LeBron James as its point man and a big heart at its center, "More Than a Game" is about the boyz from the 'hood who made up the St. Vincent-St. Mary High School basketball team of Akron, Ohio, which launched James into the NBA and is a kind of classic of American sports history. Limited theatrical seems possible, given James' enormous following and an emotionally potent story that involves fast friendships, teamwork, ego, the perils of overconfidence and the entrapments of celebrity.

The object of helmer Kristopher Belman's attention for about eight years, the story involves high schoolers who, since grade school, had played for the same coach: Dru Joyce, who left corporate America to find more meaning in his life and found more than he bargained for at St. Vincent-St. Mary. Belman has solid material to work with, courtesy of James, Dru Joyce, Sian Cotton and Willie McGee, who were joined by Romeo Travis and together terrorized the Ohio competition. Belman and editor V. Scott Balcerek shape a propulsive, fast-breaking narrative that doesn't quite follow the conventions of fiction, although it sometimes seems like a fairy tale.

This movie will definitely be exciting! ^_^

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