‘Superman: Legacy’ Star David Corenswet To Star In Skydance Sports’ ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ Movie Inspired By Label Famously Given To Last Player In NFL Draft

EXCLUSIVE: Having landing the highly-coveted role of Clark Kent in DC Studios Superman: Legacy, David Corenswet looks to have his highs set on his follow-up project as sources tell Deadline he is in negotiations to star in the Skydance Sports pic Mr. Irrelevant. The movie is about John Tuggle, who was given the title after being the last pick of the last round of the 1983 NFL draft. Jonathan Levine is directing with Emmy-nominated writer Nick Santora is penning the script.

The pic will be produced by Skydance Sports, with Levine producing with Gillian Bohrer for Megamix along with Santora, who’ll produce through his banner Blackjack Films. The film will tell the inspiring, heartfelt and true story of Tuggle, drafted by the New York Giants, and his enduring impact on his team and teammates.

“Mr. Irrelevant” first started in 1976 with the drafting of USC receiver Paul Salata, starting a series of events that have come to be known as Irrelevant Week. A handful of players in that position have gone on to success, but Purdy has given it a facelift since he took over starting duties for the 49ers last season; the onetime Iowa State QB has yet to lose a regular-season game, and San Francisco is among the favorites to win the Super Bowl.

While Tuggle’s story is much different then Purdy’s, it still touches on the notes that make for an ideal sports movie to add to Skydance Sports’ film slate.

As for Corenswet, the rising star has had himself quite a year after beating out a number of actors to play the iconic role of Clark Kent aka the Man of Steel in director James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy. Production recently wrapped on the film that also stars Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor and Corenswet had been eyeing several scripts before ultimately landing on this pic following a meeting with Levine.

Prior to landing the Superman role, Corenswet other credits including the A24 horror pic Pearl as well as Universal’s blockbuster hit Twisters. He is repped by CAA, Untitled Entertainment and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner Auerbach Hynick Jaime LeVine Sample & Klein.