Award-winning actor and activist Don Cheadle portrays former Arizona State wrestling coach Shawn Charles in the new movie Unstoppable (debuts on Prime Video on January 16).
Cheadle joins SportsJam with Doug Doyle to talk about the inspirational movie based the the real-life story of 2011 NCAA champion wrestling Anthony Robles. Robles, born with one leg, overcame many hurdles on and off the mat through perseverance and determination.
Cheadle was part of star-studded cast that includes Jharrel Jerome, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Peña, and Bobby Cannavale.
Why was Cheadle attracted to his role as a wrestling coach?
“I’ve been very blessed, fortunate and lucky to have the opportunity to portray people who are very inspiring, interesting and layered. Shawn Charles is another one. I’ve gotten to spend time with him and actually get to know him a bit. You see the building blocks of Anthony Robles’ career and how he got to where he got and the people who were instrumental in making him who he was and supporting him along the way. It’s great to have the opportunity to meet these people and be inspired by them, portray them and hopefully get it right so they don’t come out on social media and say you suck and how dare you do this to me.”
Cheadle says it was clear the cast of Unstoppable was committed to excellence.
“I knew that everyone was taking their roles very seriously. For Jennifer, Jharrel and myself, we had actual real people to speak with and you don’t want to get it wrong. There’s a different kind of bar that is set for when you’re playing people that exist. You don’t want to get it wrong.”
Anthony Robles will be the next guest on SportsJam with Doug Doyle.
Unstoppable screened for the first time at TIFF in 2024 to outstanding reviews. The film, directed by William Goldenberg and produced by Ben Affleck, had a limited theatrical release in December by Amazon MGM Studios.
Don has received numerous accolades ncluding two Golden Globe Awards, two Grammy Awards and a Tony Award and 11 Primetime Emmy Awards. Cheadle was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actorfor his portrayal of Paul Rusesabaginain the historical drama film Hotel Rwanda (2004). The Kansas City native was the co-producer of Crash, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2005. Cheadle gained a whole new group of fans when joined the Marfel Cinematic Universe portraying James “Rhodey” Rhodes/War Machine, beginning with Iron Man 2 (2010).
Cheadle is no stranger to sports-related movies. Back In 1996, Cheadle played the title role in the HBO TV movie Rebound” The Legend of Earl ‘The Goat’ Manigault . Manigualt was a playground basketball star from Harlem. He also played the villain in Space Jam: A New Legacy.
Cheadle spent 10 years writing and producing the film Miles Ahead (2016) based on the life of iconic jazz trumpeter Miles Davis.
You can SEE the entire SportsJam interview with Don Cheadle here.
