Walt Disney Presents ‘McFarland, USA’

Disney’s new sports drama film, “McFarland, USA,” will be released nationwide in theaters February 20.

Inspired by a true story that took place in 1987, the film focuses on coach Jim White who lands a position at a predominantly Latino high school in California, where he ultimately finds himself at odds trying to find common ground. Once he realizes his students’ running ability and potential, he sets out to form a team of unlikely mates who work together to compete in a cross-country championship.

“McFarland, USA” is directed by Niki Caro and features the writing credit of Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois, and Grant Thompson. The film is produced by Mark Ciardi and Gordon Gray. Although the film was in development since 2004 from the screenwriting angle, the first negotiations for casting began in 2012, being finalized in 2013. The cast is led by Kevin Costner playing Jim White, Maria Bello as Cheryl, Morgan Saylor as Julie, Vincent Martella as Brandon, Elsie Fisher as Jamie, Carlos Pratts as Thomas, Martha Higareda as Lupe, Vanessa Martinez as Maria Marisol, and Daniel Moncada as Eddie.

Costner is a two-time Academy Award winner with three Golden Globes and an Emmy Award. He is well known for his roles as Ray Kinsella in “Field of Dreams,” Crash Davis in “Bull Durham,” Eliot Ness in “The Untouchables,” Frank Farmer in “The Bodyguard,” Lt. John J. Dunbar in “Dances with Wolves,” and the title role in “Robin Hood.” He has dabbled in every genre from action, thriller, and sci-fi to romance, drama, and comedy, which means seeing him as Coach Jim White should be exceptional.

Maria Bello has also had an interesting career, made up of appearances in “Permanent Midnight,” “Payback,” “Coyote Ugly,” “A History of Violence,” “Thank You for Smoking,” “The Jane Austen Book Club,” “The Yellow Handkerchief,” “Prisoners,” and most recently in “Third Person.” Although it may seem Bello had found her niche as playing the wife and mother on screen, she is notable for providing many layers with her characters, which can be expected of her role as Cheryl in this Disney drama.

Experience the American dream in an unconventional setting, where you can live and learn just as Coach White and his team of adolescents do by banding together to overcome the odds that have been set in their way from day one.

‘McFarland, USA’ will race into theaters Feb. 20.