Ben Schnetzer, known for films such as The Book Thief and Pride, is set to star in the Arctic drama The Grizzlies, a new feature written by Breaking Bad writer Moira Walley-Becket.
The Grizzlies is being executive produced by Oscar-nominated Frank Marshall along with Jake Steinfeld, who founded Major League Lacrosse. This will also be the directional debut for producer Miranda de Pencier of Northwood Entertainment.
Schnetzer plays Russ Sheppard, a real-life high school teacher who arrives to a dysfunctional Arctic community aiming to start a lacrosse league. The league soon becomes prominent in the community and changes the lives of the kids involved.
“I’m thrilled to have the talented Ben Schnetzer on board,” de Pencier recently stated. Other talents overseeing the project include Zanne Devine (Pacific Northwest Pictures) and Damon D’Oliveira (Filmshow Inc).
“Miranda is the perfect choice to tell this hopeful and life-affirming story. We have put together a very talented team to support her vision in telling this amazing story about how one man with a simple idea and a sport can save and change lives forever,” Frank Marshall said.
In addition to The Grizzlies, Schnetzer will also appear in Oliver Stone’s Snowden, the game-based movie Warcraft, as well as Andrew Neel’s Goat.
At 26 years old, Ben Schnetzer has become a prominent Hollywood figure with appearances in Law & Order, Happy Town, and other big projects. He was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor in Pride (2014) and Most Promising Newcomer.
Mongrel Media is responsible for releasing The Grizzlies in Canada, and shooting is scheduled to start in the Arctic in April 2016.