Hallmark Casting Shake-Up: Tony Danza Drops Out of 'Holiday Touchdown' Movie, Joe Pantoliano Replaces Him
Hallmark Channel is currently filming the upcoming Christmas movie Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story and there has been a casting shakeup.
Tony Danza was originally set to star in the film, but he had to drop out due to a “last-minute scheduling conflict,” according to Entertainment Weekly.
The news comes just two days after the cast for the new Holiday Touchdown movie was announced. Holland Roden and Matthew Daddario will lead the film alongside an exciting supporting cast. This is the second film in Hallmark’s new franchise as part of its partnership with the NFL.
Tony‘s replacement in the movie will be Joe Pantoliano, which sets up a The Sopranos reunion as Steve Schirripa is already cast in the project!
Here is the film’s synopsis: “The Quinns and DeLucas have lived next door to each other for decades in the shadow of Highmark Stadium – the home of their beloved Buffalo Bills. With their longtime friendship rooted in being proud members of Bills Mafia, the two clans have enjoyed cherished traditions that revolve around cheering for their favorite team – especially at the holidays when they celebrate the last home game before Christmas. Pediatric doctor Morgan Quinn (Holland Roden) and the Bills’ VP of Stadium Development Gabe DeLuca (Matthew Daddario) have always been close friends, but Gabe has always held a torch for her – a fact obvious to their families (Tracy Pollan, Caroline Aaron, Steve Schirripa)…and everyone else who crosses their path. When Morgan learns from her Uncle Tommy (Joe Pantoliano) that someone anonymously helped her family get by after he was drafted more than 60 years ago – and that he continues to receive a Christmas gift each year to this day –she decides to find his benefactor and give her uncle a Christmas he’ll always remember. Aided by Bills Mafia friends of theirs, Morgan and Gabe work together to unwrap the gifter’s identity. Along the way, Gabe’s love for Morgan deepens and in turn, she begins to see him in a new light though neither is daring enough to admit their feelings. Meanwhile, Morgan’s hopes of pulling off her surprise for Uncle Tommy get sacked. That is, until Gabe takes matters into his own hands and uses his connections with the Bills to pull off the surprise of a lifetime for Morgan and both their families that will make this a Christmas they’ll never forget.”
The movie is currently filming in Buffalo and will premiere on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark+ in the Christmas season.