The tragic 2009 boating accident that claimed the lives of former University of South Florida football player Will Bleakley and ex-Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammates Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith is now being depicted onscreen by survivor Nick Schuyler.
The new documentary “Four Down” is based on Schuyler’s bestselling 2010 memoir “Not Without Hope,” which details his rescue at sea in the Gulf of Mexico. Schuyler was found near-death 43 hours after the accident, clinging to the engine mount of the capsized vessel 70 miles offshore. Oscar nominee Steven Cantor directs the hybrid documentary, which includes reenactment sequences featuring U.S. Coast Guard members and officers. “Four Down” is executive produced by Mark Wahlberg and Snoop Dogg.
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The film includes interviews with Schuyler, members of the NFL community, and the U.S. Coast Guard, which was involved in the massive search and rescue effort. The feature was filmed on location in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Tampa, Florida, as well as at Lantica Studios in the Dominican Republic. “Four Down” will have its world premiere as the Opening feature April 24 at the Sunscreen Film Festival in Clearwater, Florida, where the story is set.
“On behalf of Nick Schuyler and his family, and our entire producing team, I’d like to thank Tony Armer and the Sunscreen Film Festival for honoring us with its Opening Night selection,” Schuyler’s agent and Prix Productions managing partner and “Four Down” producer Rick French said in an official statement. “This story unfolded before the world’s eyes over several days in Clearwater, so this is where we wanted our premiere to be held. It will allow families and friends to come together and celebrate the lives of Marquis, Corey and Will, while also recognizing the heroism of the St. Petersburg Sector Coast Guard members who risked their lives to rescue Nick that fateful day.”
The opening night screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the filmmakers, providing audiences with exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the documentary.
“Four Down” is produced by director Cantor and Jamie Schutz of Stick Figure Productions, French of Prix Productions, and Stanley Buchthal and David Koh of Dakota Media Group. Schuyler, Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson and Archie Gips of Unrealistic Ideas, Snoop Dogg and Sara Ramaker of Death Row Pictures, and Gala Film’s Eric Schiermeyer and Jonathan Hazeldine executive produce.
Gala Film, a leading Web3 entertainment company, financed the $5 million documentary. Schuyler’s memoir “Not Without Hope” is also getting an upcoming narrative version, with Josh Duhamel and Zachary Levi starring. Dwayne Johnson and Miles Teller were both previously attached in other iterations of the adaptation.
“Four Down” premieres at the Sunscreen Film Festival April 24 as a sales title. Check out the trailer below.