Charles "Chic" Harley
Chic is an athletic prodigy whose dazzling performances and personal magnetism create a mania for the burgeoning sport of football, making him one of the most famous people of the new American century. But with fame comes power, and Chic soon becomes embroiled in a dangerous international conspiracy beyond the gridiron. Chic is pushed to his limits both physically and psychologically as he races to unravel the mystery of who he really is in a world where things are not what they seem.
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WISH LIST:
Dylan Minnette, Austin Butler
Louise Havens
Affluent and stunningly beautiful, Louise is the most sought-after woman on campus. But when she sees Chic play, she quickly becomes one of his biggest fans, disguising herself as a boy just to get into the stadium to witness his magic. Chic is endlessly inspired by Louise to be the best, and Louise only has eyes for Chic, but their love affair will be destroyed by her over-protective father and brother, who conspire to have Chic put into a sanitarium.
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WISH LIST:
Thomasin McKenzie, Maya Hawke
Lordy Dupree
Lordy is Chic’s best friend and first fan. Their friendship is tried and tested again and again by the forces of racism and intolerance that that constrict 1910s society. Forced to keep their friendship private, Lordy acts as Chic’s caretaker, and is the only one who nurses Chic back to health in his times of injury, exhaustion, and defeat. Chic will blow up at the racist Club members who refuse to acknowledge Lordy at dinner, driving a wedge that will separate him from Columbus elite society.
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WISH LIST:
Caleb McLaughlin, Brett Austin Johnson, Jalyn Hall
Walt Barker
With the swagger of a gangster, and his streetwise knowledge, The Man in Spats is a shady mentor from the wrong side of the tracks. The Man in Spats never introduces himself to Chic and prefers to keep himself anonymous. The Man will guide Chic through the maze of conspiracies afoot around him, and save him from danger again and again.
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WISH LIST:
Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Robert Downey Jr.
Lynn St. John
Sharp, direct, enthusiastic, and ambitious, St. John is OSU’s new Athletic Director. He harnesses Chic’s magnetism to grow Ohio State football into a famous cultural institution, and to build the colossal stadium that would become his legacy. St. John is Chic’s strongest ally – sometimes acting as a father figure, sometimes as a shrewd businessman – remaining devoted to Chic throughout his life.
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WISH LIST:
Dermot Mulroney
Coach John C. Wilce
A doctor as well as a player, Wilce is Ohio State University’s football head coach. As an athlete himself, Wilce drives his team to perfection using the latest scientific methods. Wilce scouts Chic in high school, and acts as a kind of father figure to him.
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WISH LIST:
Zachary Levi, Justin Hartley
THE BUCKEYES
Harold "Hap" Courtney
Hap is Chic’s best friend at East High School and is responsible for chiding him into trying out for the football team as a boy. Hap always has Chic’s back and supports Chic as he discovers new plays and tactics for winning the game. They win the championship together at Ohio State University, but Chic will be devastated when Hap dies in the war.
A. E. Staley
A titan in the cornstarch business and all-around cheerful soul, A.E. Staley finances the Staley’s football team to advertise his business and promote athleticism amongst his employees. Staley is shocked at the winning streak Chic and the other player create. He gives them his blessing to move the team to Chicago where ticket sales skyrocket. Staley is shocked by Halas’ cunning in changing the name of the team to the Bears in order to keep the money-making team all to himself.
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WISH LIST:
Oliver Platt, Eric Stonestreet
George Halas
Halas is the captain of the Illinois football team, and determined to win no matter the price. Halas is a tough competitor, whose capacity for violence on the field leaves Chic and his teammates with broken bones, and broken hearts. In business, Halas is a cutthroat who engineers a plot to transform the Staleys into the Chicago Bears, leaving A.E. Staley and the Harley brothers in the lurch.
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WISH LIST:
Mike Faist, Paul Mescal
A NOTE ON CASTING
The youthful membership of the football team offers an opportunity to introduce new faces to the screen, while the more established roles of coaches and mentors could be filled by seasoned actors.