Earlier this year, ESPN Films and Marvel Entertainment — fellow companies under the gigantic Disney umbrella — announced they were teaming up on a series of documentaries (feature-length and shorts) that would essentially tell the origin stories of the closest thing we have to real-life superheroes in our culture: elite athletes.
The films combine interviews, photos and old videos of athletes growing up with images from Marvel Comics animated into motion. This trailer for the feature-length documentary, titled 1 of 1 – Genesis, gives you an idea of how the two mediums are woven together.
https://youtu.be/tRmcqOhBDHs
ESPN and Marvel made 1 of 1 – Genesis available for on-demand viewing through YouTube and Google Play in January for $14.99. But for those who were patient and didn’t shell out the cash to see the documentary right away (or when it began streaming on Netflix in March), the feature-length film will make its broadcast debut July 14 on ESPN, showing at 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET.
But the sports-superheroes partnership between the two doesn’t stop there. ESPN and Marvel are also rolling out a series of short documentaries directed by Eric Drath (No Mas, Assault in the Ring) called 1 of 1 – Origins, which will focus on individual athletes telling their origin stories with Marvel Comics artwork animated into the film. The first of the series, featuring 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, will premiere on His and Hers on ESPN 2, broadcasting live from San Diego Comic-Con.
The film, as will all the other 1 of 1 – Origins shorts, will then be available on the 30 For 30 Facebook page and on Marvel.com. Here are summaries of all eight films, along with their premiere dates, per an official ESPN press release:
“1 of 1 – Origins: Colin Kaepernick” – Premiering July 10
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is one of the NFL’s biggest stars, but it was on the baseball diamond that a young Colin would be forever changed. At 12, he was already a standout athlete, head and shoulders over his peers in both size and skill. But on one fateful day, the hits were not coming and his father would see this opportunity as a moment to help redirect Colin’s life and forever alter his destiny.“1 of 1 – Origins: Brandi Chastain” – Premiering July 13
At a pivotal moment during a childhood soccer game, Brandi Chastain gets a pass to her left foot. It was that kick where she would discover her power and later use it during the most dramatic penalty kick in USA soccer history.“1 of 1 – Origins: Bryce Harper” – Premiering July 13
Major league baseball player Bryce Harper discovers the secret to his hitting powers as a little boy, but his destiny unfolds when he finally gets the call to the big leagues.“1 of 1 – Origins: Dwight Howard” – Premiering July 14
It was on a crude basketball court in middle school where NBA legend Dwight Howard played a pick-up game that would forever change his self-confidence and influence his ultimate destiny.“1 of 1 – Origins: Amy Purdy” – Premiering July 15
Snowboarding star Amy Purdy tells her story of coming back from the brink of death, losing her legs, and finding her super power.“1 of 1 – Origins: Phil Mickelson” – Premiering July 15
PGA super star Phil Mickelson finds his super power at the moment when others failed to persevere, and it was this moment that would propel him to the greatest heights in golf.“1 of 1 – Origins: Danica Patrick” – Premiering July 16
Star racecar driver Danica Patrick retells the moment she discovered her super power as a 10 year-old racing go-carts. It was on a little track in rural Beloit, Wisconsin where she discovered that she would do anything to win, and found the internal drive and focus to accomplish greatness.“1 of 1 – Origins: Tony Hawk” – Premiering July 17
Super star skater Tony Hawk was not always soaring to new heights, it was an early moment of failure during his childhood that would reshape his attitude and help him find his power.
Again, 1 of 1 – Genesis premieres on ESPN July 14 with back-to-back broadcasts beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
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