There tends to be a difference in the plotting and characterization of a series and film holding the same name. The 1992 American sports comedy-drama and the upcoming Amazon Prime Video series are no exception to this popular motion.
The Penny Marshall-directed film plucked its inspiration from the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), starring Tom Hanks as Jimmy Dugan, a washed-up former player turned manager who does nothing but gets drunk and ridicules his players. Hanks plays alongside Geena Davis who enacts the role of Dottie Hinson, a war wife, and farmer, with incredible catcher skills, and the older sister of Kit Keller played by Lori Petty, a pitcher on The Rockford Peaches team. The two sisters go on a heartwarming, and life-changing journey in Baseball with five other women during World War II. A time when most men were off fighting, leaving the women to fill up the spaces left behind.
Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
It’s without a doubt that the film was a masterpiece, as it was directed by Hollywood’s greatest female director, the late Penny Marshall, setting the bar high for the Prime Video series of the same name.
The 2022 sports series, launching a month after the film’s 30th anniversary is set to bring about new characters, expansion of storylines, and diving deeper into the AAGPBL from a different angle than that of the movie, as said by the co-creator Abbi Jackson, to The Hollywood Reporter at the film’s premiere that took place on the 13th of June at the Tribeca Film festival. Jackson’s role isn’t limited to the creation of the series as the creative genius has a seat in the cast as Carson Shaw. Abbi will be playing alongside Chanté Adams who’ll be taking up the role of Greta, another new character, as well as Nick Offerman as Casey “Dove” Porter, the team’s coach with an added twist. Other new characters include Kelly McCormack as Jess and Gbemisola Ikumelo as Clance Morgan.
Courtesy of Amazon Studios
The role of the coach will be different from what viewers saw in the 1992 film. The show is said to be omitting Dugan’s drunkard behavior and redemption story, focusing more on the players on the field, their individuality, and their struggles within the sport.
Another notable addition will be the character of Max Chapman, an infusion of three real black female baseball players who took part in the Negro league. The said character’s storyline is expected to shed light on racism in the league, and also show the viewers that it’s possible to be more than just one thing.
The modern remake of the 1992 Baseball Classic will be premiering on August 12, on Amazon Prime Video.
Check out the trailer below:
