SPORTING LEGEND VISITS CAST AND CREW OF HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ORIGINS BIOPIC AS PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY WRAPS IN BRAZIL

Monday 9th December – Football legend Pelé visited the set of the feature film which chronicles the origins of his sporting stardom, which has just wrapped principal photography on location in Brazil. Whilst on set during the last weeks of production, Pelé met with the two actors who will play young “Dico” (as Pelé was known in his formative years) - up and coming young Brazilian stars Leonardo Lima Carvalho and Kevin de Paula.

Following his visit, Pelé commented “Coming by the set made me feel so blessed to be a part of such a talented family, who are all coming together to tell the story of my life. The two young actors who will play my younger self will be true stars, as their skills both on screen and on the football pitch proved”.

The 8-week shoot took place entirely on Pelé’s home turf, in Brazil. The exciting, young (and primarily Brazilian) cast was recently revealed to include Leonardo Lima Carvalho as the 10-13 year old “Dico” and Kevin de Paula as the 15-17 year old rising soccer star, who would become the greatest player the game has ever known.

Both Leonardo and Kevin were cast following an extensive nationwide search by the filmmakers earlier this year. The action-filled, inspirational drama has been written and is directed by Jeff and Michael Zimbalist (FAVELA RISING, THE TWO ESCOBARS). Director of Photography is Matthew Libatique (BLACK SWAN, IRON MAN, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM).

Additional cast includes Emmy-nominated Vincent D'Onofrio (MEN IN BLACK, ‘Law and Order: Criminal Intent’) and Rodrigo Santoro (300, LOVE ACTUALLY), as well as Diego Boneta (ROCK OF AGES), Golden Globe nominated Colm Meaney (THE DAMNED UNITED) and Seu Jorge (THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU, CITY OF GOD).

PELÉ is produced by Imagine Entertainment and Seine Pictures, who successfully acquired the rights to Pelé's life story. The producers are Academy Award ® winning Brian Grazer (SPLASH, APOLLO 13, A BEAUTIFUL MIND AND FROST/NIXON), Ivan Orlic for Seine Pictures, Kim Roth (INSIDE MAN) for Imagine Entertainment and Colin Wilson (ZERO DARK THIRTY and AVATAR). The film will be executive produced by Pelé himself alongside Paul Kemsley for SLI/Legend 10 and Exclusive Media, who are handling international sales for the title. The film will be released internationally in 2014.

Synopsis

PELÉ tells the miraculous story of the legendary soccer player’s rise to glory from a young boy to the 17 year old player who scored the winning goal in Brazil’s first ever World Cup victory in 1958. From a life full of disadvantages and an impoverished youth in Brazil, Pelé used his unorthodox yet authentic style of play and his unbeatable spirit to overcome all odds, find greatness and inspire a country that he changed forever.

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Edited by Vanessa McMahon