While he’s been busy shooting “Superman” films, David Corenswet somehow managed to squeeze in a smaller project between instalments of the DCU, and he may have chosen the perfect vehicle.
A THR piece tackles what I reported a few months ago: incredibly strong test-screening results helped Paramount position Jonathan Levine’s “Mr. Irrelevant” for a prestigious Christmas Day wide release, a window often reserved for major commercial and awards-season hopefuls.
What I didn’t know was just how high these test scores were. Multiple sources tell THR that the film scored a 95 among men over 35, a perfect 100 among women over 35, and a 92 overall. That’s top-tier. If you’re not fluent in test-screening lingo, a score in the high 90s means that more than 90% of the audience who saw the film rated it “Very Good” or “Excellent.” It rarely happens.
Of course, test screenings are far from a guarantee of box-office success or awards prospects, and with several months remaining before its theatrical release, the film will face stiff competition, sandwiched between ‘Dunesday’ and ‘Jumanji 3.’ Still, maybe “Mr. Irrelevant” can serve as optimal counterprogramming to those blockbusters.
This inspirational story stars Corenswet as John Tuggle, who was selected last in the 1983 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. Tuggle, who died of cancer in 1986, played for just one season but left a significant impact on his team. Tuggle was the subject of the “30 For 30” ESPN short, “The Irrelevant Giant.”
Levine has a reliable track record. In 2011, he directed the well-reviewed stoner-cancer dramedy “50/50” and the holiday stoner comedy “The Night Before,” which has quietly become a modern Christmas staple. He also helmed the hit comedy “Long Shot,” starring Charlize Theron alongside Seth Rogen. “Warm Bodies,” his well-received 2013 zombie comedy, was also a box-office success, grossing $118 million worldwide.
“Mr. Irrelevant,” which carries a $30M budget, hits theaters on December 25 via Paramount Pictures.
AMC Entertainment is entering film distribution with Leawood Films, a new company aimed at bringing independent and emerging filmmakers’ movies to theaters.