practically heroes – a long-lost Roger Corman film starring Mark Hamill as a “Yoda-like monk” – has finally hit cinemas and streaming platforms.
Initially screened in the official selection at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, Roger Corman’s film practically heroes did not find further distribution. As a result, fans around the world never got to see the film. This will finally be rectified in December 2020 thanks to a new agreement signed with Screen Media, as reported by Variety.
What is Virtually Heroes?
With a screenplay by Matt Yamashita and GJ Echternkamp that seemingly predicts later hits like Free Guy, Wreck-It Ralph, and Ready Player One, virtually heroes follows the story of game characters who suddenly become aware that they are trapped in a Call of Dutystyle console game. Hamill stars as a “Yoda-like monk” who provides crucial wisdom and advice that allows the virtual meta-hostage soldiers to “win the game and have the girl”.
Outlined screen media practically heroes‘ tone and style as “a perfect blend of action and campy, tongue-in-cheek comedy” that “will delight viewers – whether it’s their first foray into the world of Roger Corman or their fiftieth”.
Co-starring alongside Hamill are Robert Baker (Supergirl, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull), Brent Chase (Shameless, animal kingdom), and Katie Savoy (How I met your mother, kidnapped). Co-writer Echternkamp also directed the film.
Echternkamp is thrilled that his film is finally finding an audience. “practically heroes was an ambitious project in many ways, and not exactly what you would call a conventional movie,” he said. to be discovered by a new audience.”
The film is slated to initially release in a limited theatrical run in December and straight to digital. In February 2023, the film will be released for streaming via Popcornflix (sister company of Screen Media, under the parent banner of Chicken Soup for the Soul). The Crackle Plus platform will take care of the streaming distribution.
The return of Mark Hamill in the mid-2010s
Mark Hamill was about to return when practically heroes was screened in 2013. The following year, he would appear in the critically acclaimed big screen adaptation of the comic book by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons. Kingsman: The Secret Service. He would follow that with his highly anticipated return to the star wars universe, reprising the role of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
At 96, Corman has shown few signs of slowing down. Although he hasn’t sat in the director’s chair since the 1990s untied frankenstein (with John Hurt, Raul Julia and Bridget Fonda), Corman has produced more than 30 films since, including four death race movies.
Source: Variety
