Semi-Pro News

Disappointing Sport Comedy 'Semi-Pro' Nabbed Box Office Top Slot

March 03, 2008 01:03:15

The Will Ferrell-starrer comedy film "Semi-Pro" shot to the top of North America weekend box office pushing last week's champion "Vantage Point" aside. The New Line Cinema's movie with a tone of sport comedy led the pack earning $15.1 million over the three days weekend ending on March 2, 2008.

Despite its success of nailing the top spot, the Kent Alterman-directed film is said to be on the track of being Ferrell's worst performing movies as its debut opening on Friday, February 29 showed a weak sales grossing only about $5.45 million. On the matter, the president of the box-office tracker Media By Numbers LLC, Paul Dergarabedian commented, "Will Ferrell is always a draw and audiences love him. But this particular weekend is not quite as strong as his earlier efforts."

...

Will Ferrell Joined by Co-Stars in Funny or Die Tour for 'Semi-Pro'

February 18, 2008 04:02:12

"Arrested Development" actor Will Arnett and the co-star of Javier Bardem in "No Country for Old Men" Woody Harrelson have been signed to join Will Ferrell in the sold-out campus tour "Will Ferrell's Funny or Die Comedy Tour" promoting the upcoming sport comedy movie "Semi-Pro".

According to Hollywood Reporter, the two actors will be joining the film's star and comics Zach Galifianakis, Demetri Martin and Nick Swardson for the rest of the eight-venues tour. They will start performing as the tour resumes on February 22 at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill after a short break.

...

Restricted Semi-Pro Trailer Lands Online

December 24, 2007 11:12:19

Moving on with its marketing campaign for the upcoming "Semi-Pro", New Line Cinema has released an R-rated trailer for the basketball comedy on the net.

Though the piece arguably is still funny, it, as the label suggests, is filled with lots of restricted content such as crude humor and non-stop sexual jokes. Pic, directed by Kent Alterman, is slated to open on February 29, 2008 in theaters nationwide.

...

Semi-Pro Holds College Comedy Tour

December 07, 2007 12:12:43

A nationwide comedy tour will be held as a part of "Semi-Pro" movie promotion. The tour, which is sponsored by FunnyorDie.com, will feature the rising stand-up comics, Zach Galifianakis, Demetri Martin, and Nick Swardson, alongside Will Ferrell, the star of the comedy movie.

The seven-college arena tour will be started on February 4, 2008 in Manhattan and closed on February 22, 2008 in North Carolina. Regarding the tour, Ferrell revealed that he believes that it will change lives. He stated, "Not only will this tour make people laugh, but it's going to change lives...I think."

...

Jackie Earle Haley Becoming "Semi-Pro" Player While Dealing with "Creatures"

March 20, 2007 10:03:50

Being an Oscar nominee sure has smoothened Jackie Earle Haley's path in film industry as he is now being signed up for not only one but two big screen projects in turn.

The first is an appearance in basketball comedy "Semi-Pro" in which the actor becomes a fan who wins a basketball-throwing contest. Already submitted into the cast lineup are Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, and Andre Benjamin with Kent Alterman directing for New Line Cinema.

...

Rob Corddry to Go "Semi-Pro"

February 02, 2007 04:02:05

Taking his next step after successfully jumping into the cast of "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle" sequel, Rob Corddry is reported to be in final negotiations to take part in New Line Cinema's sports comedy "Semi-Pro" joining Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, Andre Benjamin, and Will Arnett.

If a deal is truly reached, the funnyman will land the role of Harrelson's nemesis, the man who is dating his ex-girlfriend. Meanwhile, Harrelson has already been billed as a player in basketball team Flint Michigan Tropics, which is coached and owned by Ferrel's character, Jackie Moon.

...

Will Arnett Joins "Semi-Pro" Team

January 30, 2007 09:01:28

Finding himself team up again with Will Ferrell after their onscreen collaboration in "Blades of Glory", Will Arnett has given his agreement to take part in sports comedy "Semi-Pro", a New Line Cinema production telling about the waning days of the American Basketball Association.

Also joining Woody Harrelson and Andre Benjamin of Outkast in the cast lineup, Arnett will portray Lou Redwood, the team announcer for Flint Michigan Tropics which is owned by Ferrell's character, Jackie Moon, who also serves as the team's coach and player.

...

Andre Benjamin Playing in "Semi-Pro" League

December 08, 2006 03:12:57

Sinking deeper into acting field, Andre Benjamin has snatched one more acting stint to be added in his growing resume. The OutKast member is reported to have signed on to take part in "Semi-Pro", New Line Cinema's comedy set in the world of 1970s pro basketball.

Lining up with Woody Harrelson and Will Ferrell in the cast, Benjamin is likely to play a self-styled ladies' man who is the best player on the fictional Flint Michigan Tropics team while Harrelson will portray his fellow athlete and Ferrell the team's owner-coach-player.

...

New Line Okays "Semi-Pro"

October 27, 2006 04:10:40

New Line emerges with good news that it has given the green light to the comedy flick "Semi-Pro." That's not all, the studio also gives details on the project, confirming Will Ferrell and Woody Harrelson will both star in.

"Semi-Pro," set in the world of 1970s pro basketball, will be directed by New Line executive VP Kent Alterman. With Scot Armstrong writing the screenplay, shooting is expected to begin early next year.

...

Will Ferrell Eyeing Another Reunion in "Semi-Pro"

August 08, 2006 10:08:33

Will Ferrell is in the brink to have one more reunion. Recently signed to re-team up with John C. Reilly in "Step Brothers", the funnyman now reportedly is engaged in talks on blooming another with screenwriter Scot Armstrong for "Semi-Pro." The two previously had worked together in Todd Phillips' 2003 flick of "Old School" which boosted up Ferrell's film career.

A sports comedy that takes place in the world of basketball during the 70s, the project is planned to start production by next February in Minneapolis. Apart from Ferrell and Armstrong, there is no word yet about other film crew or cast.

...