David Corenswet Swaps Cape for Cleats in NFL Biopic — Release Date Set
Paramount has reportedly locked a release date for David Corenswet’s next big-screen outing, an untitled NFL biopic centered on John Tuggle, kicking off the actor’s first post-Superman role after James Gunn’s hit.
David Corenswet just put on the cape and nailed Superman. Next up: a true-story NFL drama about John Tuggle, and Paramount wants it under your tree.
Release date locked
Paramount has dated the untitled John Tuggle biopic for Christmas Day, December 25, 2026. Unofficially, people are calling it 'Mr. Irrelevant' — which fits the story — but the studio has not announced an official title yet. Christmas is a statement slot, so yeah, they think this one plays.
The story they are telling
Tuggle was the final pick in the 1983 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, which earned him the nickname 'Mr. Irrelevant' — the label traditionally given to the last player selected each year. Many of those guys never make a roster, but there have been notable outliers like Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers), Jacque MacKinnon (San Diego Chargers), Ryan Succop (Kansas City Chiefs), and Marty Moore (New England Patriots). Tuggle beat the odds right away: he stuck with the Giants, played the 1983 season, and was named the team’s Special Teams Player of the Year. His career was tragically cut short by cancer, and he died on August 30, 1986, at just 25. If the name rings a bell, ESPN already profiled him in a 30 for 30 short called 'The Irrelevant Giant.'
Who is making it (and who is in it)
- David Corenswet plays John Tuggle
- Michael Shannon plays Bill Parcells
- David Krumholtz co-stars
- Isabel May co-stars
- Directed by Jonathan Levine (Long Shot, 50/50, Warm Bodies, The Night Before)
- Screenplay by Nick Santora (co-wrote Punisher: War Zone; worked on FUBAR and Reacher)
- Produced by Jonathan Levine and Gillian Bohrer
Corenswet’s run continues
This is Corenswet’s next big swing after his well-received turn as Superman for James Gunn. He is also set to return for the sequel, titled 'Man of Tomorrow,' which lands in theaters July 9, 2027.