Hurt will play the significant role of Amateur Athletic Union president who attempted to boycott the 1936 Olympics.
- October 2, 2014
AceShowbiz -
William Hurt joins the cast of Jesse Owens biopic "Race (2016)". The 64-year-old actor is to step in the role of Jeremiah Mahoney, president of the Amateur Athletic Union, who led efforts to boycott the 1936 Olympics.
At the same time, Focus Features announced that the drama would be released on theaters April 8, 2016. So far, the date has only been occupied by a feature film adaptation of "Clifford the Big Red Dog".
"Race" will cover the incredible true story of Owens, the legendary athletic superstar whose quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in history thrusts him onto the world stage of the 1936 Olympics, where he faces off against Adolf Hitler's vision of Aryan supremacy.
Stephan James is already attached to portray Owens, backed up by Jason Sudeikis, Jeremy Irons and Carice van Houten among others. Stephen Hopkins is directing the pic from Anna Waterhouse and Joe Shrapnel's script. "Race" will be filmed in Montreal and on location at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, where Owens won his record-breaking four gold medals in 1936.
