The upcoming Amazon MGM comedy, “The Underdoggs,” originally scheduled for a Jan. 26 theatrical release, will now exclusively premiere on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories worldwide on the same date. Snoop Dogg, both starring and producing in the film directed by Charles Stone III, shared the announcement and unveiled the first red band trailer via his social media platforms.
Tika Sumpter, Andrew Schulz, Mike Epps, and George Lopez also star in “The Underdoggs.” Penned by Danny Segal and Isaac Schamis, The Underdoggs revolves around Jaycen “Two Js” Jennings (Snoop), a former pro football star facing a downward spiral. Sentenced to community service coaching a pee-wee football team, he embarks on a journey that could lead to redemption and a rediscovery of his passion for the game.
Nancy De Mayo, Gavin Cole, Jonigan Booth, Adan James Carrillo, Kylah Davila, Caleb Dixon, Alexander Michael Gordon, Shamori Washington round out the cast. Watch the trailer below.
The idea for the film was pitched by Snoop Dogg and Constance Schwartz-Morini. Producers Kenya Barris, Mychelle Deshamps, Jonathan Glickman, Constance Schwartz-Morini, and Snoop Dogg are at the helm of the project. Despite Amazon MGM’s commitment to theatrical releases, influenced by the recent success of “Saltburn,” the decision was made to reach the widest audience possible through Prime Video. This strategy aligns with the challenges faced by live-action R-rated comedies at the box office.
To bolster the film’s reach, the marketing campaign will leverage the synergy of Amazon’s various platforms, such as TNF, Amazon Music, and Twitch. Snoop Dogg’s extensive social media presence, with a reach of 193.5 million, will further contribute to the film’s visibility, considering his multifaceted brand encompassing music, clothing, snacks, cereal, animation, and more.
Scheduled for Jan. 26, “The Underdoggs” will stand out as a wide release on Prime Video, with no competing theatrical entries. While arthouse releases like Sony Pictures Classics’ “The Peasants” and Focus Features’ “Housekeepers for Beginners” are in the mix, the film aims to captivate a broad audience through the convenience of streaming.
