Matthew Vaughn hasn’t made a film since the abysmal 2024 spy caper “Argylle,” a failed blockbuster that finished the director’s plans for a cinematic universe before they even got off the ground. It makes sense, then, that he’s pivoting to an altogether safer project, and one that focuses on the world’s most popular sport.
Deadline reports that Vaughn’s next directing effort will be “Day 1s,” a TV show that centers on the professional life of a UK soccer agent, with Damian Lewis set to play the series lead. But Lewis will arguably not be the biggest star of the program, because soccer stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry will have major guest spots; UK rapper Dave is also linked to the series.
Ronaldo will serve as executive producer on “Day 1s” along with starring opposite Lewis, the first credit from his UR•Marv Studios banner, a branch of Vaughn’s Marv Studios. UR•Marv Studios also has two unrelated sports films in the can, with more details about those to be revealed shortly. The new series and the two films hint of where Ronaldo will go next as the 41-year-old mulls his future in soccer after a disappointing World Cup. The Portuguese legend currently plays for Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr.
The brainchild of real-life soccer agent Darren Dein, “Day 1s” will see Lewis play Stanley Dalton as he navigates the lucrative world of professional soccer. The set-up sounds similar to a recent Brazil TV series “The Playoffs,” starring Cauã Reymond, which caught on with a global audience. Expect “Day 1s” to have the same mass appeal.
Will Vaughn direct “Day 1s” or is he simply on board in a producing capacity? That remains to be seen, but if he does go behind the camera, it’ll be his first TV directing credit. The UK director is best known for the “Kingsman” franchise, but he also helmed the first “Kick-Ass” movie, “X-Men: First Class,” and the 2004 crime thriller “Layer Cake” (he’s not directing the upcoming sequel “Viva La Madness,” though; his pal Guy Ritchie is).
Stay tuned for more details on “Day 1s” as they arrive.
