Anson Boon, Ellie Bamber and Eddie Marsan to star in true-story soccer film "Halftime Hero" backed by Scott Free, Live Nation and The Saga Company

A new feature film, "Halftime Hero," is moving forward with Scott Free, Live Nation Studios and The Saga Company attached, Deadline reported. The project centers on a true story from 1994 involving well-known soccer coach Harry Redknapp, with the cast led by Anson Boon, Ellie Bamber and Eddie Marsan, each taking on roles identified by Deadline as part of the film’s portrayal of Redknapp and his story.

Deadline said Joachim Rønning is directing the movie. Rønning, whose film career includes directing credits recognized in international releases, is now slated to helm the project built around Redknapp’s real-life moment in 1994, with the film positioned as a dramatic feature rather than a documentary or sports recap.

The casting announcement places Anson Boon, known for his work in MobLand, in the lead grouping, alongside Ellie Bamber (identified by Deadline as portraying “Ebenezer”) and Eddie Marsan (identified by Deadline as playing “Sherlock Holmes”). Deadline’s report also explicitly frames the film as a “true story soccer movie” built from the 1994 incident involving Redknapp.

The production team cited by Deadline includes Ridley Scott’s Scott Free and Live Nation Studios, with The Saga Company also attached. The company roster reflects a cross-portfolio approach, combining a heavyweight creative brand associated with Scott Free with Live Nation’s film arm and The Saga Company’s production involvement.

Deadline did not provide a release date, a production start date, or a studio distribution plan in the portion of reporting provided. The outlet also did not detail the underlying 1994 circumstances beyond characterizing it as a “remarkable true story” that involved Redknapp, leaving the specific events of that year to be clarified as the project develops.

With the project now publicly confirmed, the next steps will typically include finalizing financing, locking a script and character breakdown, and setting a production schedule for casting, locations and post-production. For audiences and the industry, the early indicates are the scale of the attached production partners and a recognizable creative direction team, factors that often shape how quickly a film moves from development to production.

The film’s public framing as a sports-based true story also places it in a market segment that relies on audience familiarity with real-life figures while presenting that history through narrative filmmaking. Deadline’s report did not indicate whether the story will include archival footage, specific real-world organizations or named clubs tied to 1994, though those details are likely to be addressed in later announcements.