Why This AMERICAN UNDERDOG Actor Likes to See Evidence of Faith on the Big Screen
By Jessilyn Lancaster, Managing Editor
Movieguide® Award-nominated AMERICAN UNDERDOG is actor Ser’Darius Blain’s latest role in a quest to see inspirational content on the big screen.
“I’m a huge fan of like real human stories that have to do with people overcoming adversity and men blossoming into the person that they were meant to be,” Blain tells Movieguide®. “AMERICAN UNDERDOG] felt like a hero’s story to me, but it also felt like someone I might know, someone that might live next door to me, or someone that might be in my family as well. There’s just a lot of connective tissue in terms of the kind of person that I hope to be known as and seen as by my friends and family and those that I love.”
According to the Movieguide® review:
AMERICAN UNDERDOG is an uplifting, entertaining sports drama about the highly honored quarterback, Kurt Warner. It shows the challenges Warner overcame and is intentionally very clean and inspiring. At a young age, Kurt wants to be a winning quarterback, but he struggles making it into the National Football League. He falls in love with Brenda, a divorced woman with two children. They struggle until Kurt becomes a star in the Arena Football League, then becomes a popular starting quarterback in the NFL in 1998.
Blain plays Mike Hundutt, one of Warner’s football buddies from college and beyond.
With AMERICAN UNDERDOG, Blain found a project that he believes can uplift viewers who are struggling with trials and tribulations.
“I think we’re all kind of beaten down by life at certain times. We all have our own cross to bear, and movies like [AMERICAN UNDERDOG] remind us that someone’s been through it and even worse, and they made it out on the other side. I think inspiring people to continue living and to live boldly is always, always massively important,” Blain says.
“The things that Kurt and Brenda and their family endured in order to make it out on top and to become the people that they are to be the heroes that they are today, it’s evident in storytelling,” Blain continues. “There’s a lot left out [in the movie, and] their story continues, their fight continues. I got an opportunity to go to the Super Bowl with them a few weeks back and they’re still fighting battles on a daily basis, and I think that we always will, probably until the day we die, right? [AMERICAN UNDERDOG] falls in line directly with the type of storytelling that Andy and John [Erwin] like to do and I’m grateful that people are recognizing it.”
In addition to his current role on THE BIG LEAP, the former Movieguide® Awards presenter has starred in JUMANJI, JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUGLE and the 2011 remake of FOOTLOOSE.
Blain also previously appeared in WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL, a faith-inspired tale starring Jim Caviezel.
Blain said that he likes to take on roles that encourage people to look introspectively and ask themselves hard questions.
“I am a fan of [stories about] human beings who walk in the principles of God without having to talk about it so much,” Blain says. “I’m a big walk it like you talk it kind of guy. I’m big on the evidence being in your faith walk. I try to stay away from stories that are like super on the nose and really preachy. I think a picture’s worth 1000 words, and so the way that someone lives their life should be testimony enough and cause them to ask you questions about your faith. I’m grateful that I’ve been able to be a part of this genre a couple of times, and I’m looking forward to being able to continue to do so until my career’s done.”
AMERICAN UNDERDOG is now available for streaming and on DVD/Blu-Ray.
Tune into Movieguide®’s Movies That Inspire on the Reelz Channel on Easter Sunday to see AMERICAN UNDERDOG honored.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
