While he finished last place in both of his ski jumping events at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards still went on to become an international sensation. His incredible true story will be told on the big screen inEddie the Eagle, the upcomingbiopicstarringTaron Egertonas the title character andHugh Jackmanas his coach. While we wait for the first trailer to arrive,USA Todayhas new photos from this drama, which is set for release on July 10, 2025.
Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards became the first British ski jumper in Olympic history at the 1988 games, and he became an international celebrity following the games despite his poor performance. His performance at the games also lead to what became known as the “Eddie the Eagle Rule,” which was put in place by the International Olympic Committee after the Calgary games. The rule requires Olympic hopefuls to compete in international events and be placed in either the top 30 percent or the top 50 competitors.USA Todayspoke withHugh Jackman, who revealed how inspired he was by watchingEddie the Eagle.
“Eddie the Eagleis a folk hero. He’s British, but Eddie embodies that quintessential have-a-go quality that Aussies love. He really just went for it as the whole world watched.”
We reported earlier this year thatHugh Jackmanis playing Chuck Berghorn, a ski expert who helped Edwards train for the games.Christopher Walkenalso stars as Berghorn’s own mentor, although no specific details were given for his character.Hugh Jackmanalso had this to say about how his young co-starTaron Egertonresembled the real Eddie on the set.
“My jaw was on the ground. There was a photo of Taron next to the realEddie the Eaglein the makeup trailer and I would stare at it going, ‘Which one is Taron?’ It was phenomenal.”
Taron Egerton also said this film follows ‘the spirit’ of the Olympic quest, which takes a few liberties with the true story, includingHugh Jackman’s character, since the real Eddie couldn’t afford a coach. The actor added that he became “quite emotional” after watching the finished movie for the first time, calling it a mix between the Jamaican bobsled movie Cool Runnings and Billy Elliot. Here’s what his co-starHugh Jackmanhad to say about why kids should watch this film.
“Every kid should see this movie, because it reminds people that you don’t have to win to be a winner.Eddie the Eaglemight not have ended up on the medal podium, but he was victorious. It’s a story of a man who had a dream, and nothing was going to stop him.”
Dexter Fletcher(Wild Bill, Sunshine on Leith) is directing from a screenplay by Simon Kelton and Sean Macaulay, withMatthew Vaughnattached to produce. Before he turned to filmmaking,Dexter Fletcherwas an actor who starred in Lock, Stock, & Two Smoking Barrels andMatthew Vaughn’sLayer Cake,StardustandKick-Ass. Take a look at the first photos fromEddie the Eaglebelow.
