Netflix has release dates locked in for Peter Berg‘s WWII drama “The Mosquito Bowl.”
Variety reports that the streamer will give Berg’s latest picture a brief theatrical window starting on October 30 before it premieres exclusively on Netflix on November 25. “The Mosquito Bowl” will play in select AMC theaters for its run and additional locations across the US, similar to the theatrical rollout for “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Based on Buzz Bissinger‘s New York Times bestselling book, subtitled “A Game Of Life And Death In World War II,” “The Mosquito Coast” follows four of America’s top college stars as they enlist together in the Marines following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. While preparing for the invasion of Okinawa, the four play a legendary game with other all-time college football greats — a football contests that would end up being the final one for many who played it. It worth noting that Berg and Bissinger previoosly collaborated on “Friday Night Lights,” so there’s some history between the writer and director.
Nicholas Galitzine leads the ensemble cast of Berg’s film, along with Bill Skarsgård, Ray Nicholson, and Tom Francis. Supporting cast includes Brent Comer, Dominic Bogart, Jack Ingram, Ella Newton, Lola Bond, Stacy Clausen, and Billy Smith. Berg also makes an onscreen appearance in the film, with Blake Erickson, Claudia Ware, Steven Sammut, and Pat McAfee also appearing in cameo roles.
Berg produces “The Mosquito Bowl” via his Film 44 banner with Brian Grazer of Imagine Entertainment and Alex Gayner. Executive producers on the film include Ezra Emanuel, Bissinger, and Jeb Brody.
With this theatrical rollout, does Netflix plan an awards-season campaign for “The Mosquito Bowl”? Maybe, maybe not. Only two of Berg’s films, 2013’s “Lone Survivor” and 2016’s “Deepwater Horizon,” have ever been nominated for Academy Awards, and neither was for awards in major categories. However, “The Mosquito Bowl” has the flair of a prestige historical drama with broad appeal, thanks to its WWII backdrop and focus on football. Positive advance reviews could make the streamer give this one an awards season campaign.
Stay tuned for a trailer for “The Mosquito Bowl” soon.
