SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Beast Mode: Seahawks’ Marshawn Lynch to star in new big screen biopic

May 16, 2014, 12:04 PM | Updated: 4:10 pm

Marshawn Lynch usually avoids the spotlight off the field and resists talking to the press whenever he can, but now the Seahawks star is set to tell his story on the big screen.

Lynch will star in a biopic about his rise from the streets of Oakland to Super Bowl champion, the San Jose Mercury News reports.

“Just trying something new,” the often reticent running back says of the film, tentatively titled “Family First.”

It’s not the first time Beast Mode will be unleashed on the big screen. Lynch had a bit part playing a mob security guard in the Seattle-filmed “Matt’s Chance.”

“I’m more than ready to play myself,” Lynch said with a laugh. “I got the acting bug when I played a small role in ‘Matt’s Chance’ starring Gary Busey. I definitely want to expand my opportunities after football. I’ve also been on a couple TV shows, so I’m not nervous.”

Lynch has been a man of few words off the field, avoiding interviews whenever possible. The NFL fined him in early January for refusing to speak to the media. That fine was ultimately rescinded after Lynch appealed and agreed to talk to the press.

The film is a coming-of-age film that chronicles Lynch’s upbringing, his emergence as a standout in Oakland and at Cal, and his break into the NFL culminating with a Super Bowl title.

“It’s just a fun experience. I also get to shine the light on the community and some of the things that we grew up doing and what we went through,” he says.

Lynch tells the Mercury News he’s been stereotyped for his dreadlocks, gold teeth, and inner-city mannerisms, and he wants to set the record straight.

“Family First” will also feature NFL quarterback Josh Johnson, a childhood friend of Lynch’s who signed with the 49ers on Thursday.

The film’s director, Mario Bobino, says most people don’t know how much Lynch cares. “Marshawn is very human. He is passionate about family. He is passionate about Oakland, about Cal. He has a great desire to do good things for the youth of the community. That’s the side of Marshawn people don’t see,” he says.

Bobino tells KIRO Radio Lynch will portray himself in college and after. His younger brother will play Marshawn in high school, and a child actor will play him as a youth. Lynch insisted his mother play herself in the film, Bobino says.

Shooting is scheduled to begin in June. Bobino says Lynch, who will also serve as executive producer, will be on the set until training camp. He hopes to have it finished by the end of the year, with premiers in his hometown of Oakland and Seattle before the Super Bowl.

“One thing I will say about this film, people will understand him far better than ever before. They’ll see how rough he had it growing up, and how he became Beast Mode.”

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks Geno Smith...

Brandon Gustafson

Huard: 3 numbers show how well Seahawks’ Geno Smith is playing

Brock Huard breaks down a few numbers that illustrate how Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith is among the NFL's top quarterbacks this year.

15 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks Jamal Adams...

Stacy Rost

Rost on Seahawks: What’s a fair expectation for Jamal Adams’ return?

With Jamal Adams set to return to the Seattle Seahawks for the first time in more than a year, what can we reasonably expect from him?

17 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks Jaxon Smith-Njigba...

Brandon Gustafson

Bump: Seahawks should take page from Dolphins to get JSN going

For the Seattle Seahawks to get more out of Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Michael Bumpus says they should look at the NFL's top offense in Miami.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks Devon Witherspoon...

Brandon Gustafson

Huard: How Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon has already stood out

After a big Week 3 performance against Carolina, Brock Huard shares what he's seeing out of Seattle Seahawks rookie CB Devon Witherspoon.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks Kenneth Walker III...

Brent Stecker

An easy tweak to Seahawks’ offense that Bumpus wants to see

Michael Bumpus likes what he saw out of the Seattle Seahawks' run game on Sunday, and thinks there's a way to get more out of it.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks Zach Charbonnet...

The Associated Press

Seahawks are rolling with familiar 1-2 RB punch for Carroll

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has always loved the idea of having two running backs with separate styles to feature in his offense.

3 days ago

Beast Mode: Seahawks’ Marshawn Lynch to star in new big screen biopic