The Buffalo Bills are going from Highmark Stadium to a Hallmark Christmas movie.
Damar Hamlin announced Thursday that the Bills will be featured in a new TV movie as part of a partnership between Hallmark Media, the NFL and Skydance Sports. “Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Live Story” will be filmed entirely at locations in and around Buffalo, including at the Orchard Park stadium.
“We’re so excited to celebrate our team, our fans and shoutout to Bills Mafia and our shared move for football and Hallmark Christmas movies. Go Bills. Let’s go,” Hamlin said.
This is Hallmark’s second Christmas movie in partnership with the NFL after releasing “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” was released last year. Kansas City football figures Andy Reid, George Karlaftis, Trent Green and Donna Kelce, the mother of star tight end Travis Kelce, all made appearances.
According to Us Weekly, “A Chiefs Love Story” made “a few subtle nods” to Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift. The new version could make similar references to quarterback Josh Allen’s engagement to actress-singer Hailee Steinfeld.
A cast for “Bills Love Story” has not been announced, but some fans speculated “Saved By the Bell” and “Access Hollywood” star Mario Lopez may be a part of the project. The actor said he was shooting a holiday film in Tonawanda this week, and would get help from “Bills Mafia” for a crowd scene.
However, WIVB reports Lopez is actually filming a separate Hallmark Channel project titled “Newport Christmas.”
The “Bills Love Story” is expected to begin production in the coming months, according to Skydance, Hallmark and the Bills. Additional details will be announced later.
“We were honored to be approached by Skydance Sports to participate in this amazing project that will showcase two powerful brands -- Hallmark and the Buffalo Bills,” Bills COO Pete Guelli said in a statement. “This is just another example of how the Bills brand and our amazing fan base continues to grow across the sports and entertainment landscape. This is an incredible opportunity to feature Western New York and Bills Mafia on the Hallmark platform. It is a privilege to be part of this project, and we hope this film will be a hit during the holiday season!”
“Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story” is expected to be released later this year during the Hallmark Channel’s 16th annual “Countdown to Christmas.”
The Bills were featured in another movie last year, “Unbillievable! The Movie,” written, produced, co-directed by and starring Buffalo native Scott Rubin. The indie film centered on three generations of die-hard, long-suffering Bills fans who come together to watch their favorite NFL team play in the Super Bowl.