Hulu is gearing up for its 2025 debut of the highly anticipated sports comedy series Chad Powers, centered around the endearing character originally conceived by former NFL quarterback Eli Manning. The recently released teaser trailer offers fans their first glimpse of Glen Powell as Russ Holliday, a talented quarterback whose reckless behavior derails his college football career. Faced with the prospect of obscurity, Holliday adopts the alter ego of Chad Powers to snatch another chance at glory, joining the ranks of a struggling Southern football team.
The teaser showcases Holliday's transformation from star player to the affable yet endearing Chad Powers through elaborate wigs and prosthetics, culminating in the moment he dons shoulder pads and cleats, promising something “kinda big” for viewers. The half-hour comedy, co-created by Powell and Michael Waldron, is gearing up for fans as they anticipate its release.
Chad Powers, set to premiere in the fall of 2025, is not just driven by Powell's compelling performance, but is also backed by heavyweights from the industry. Alongside Powell, who serves as co-creator, co-writer, and executive producer under his Barnstorm Productions banner, the production team boasts the talents of Waldron, known for his work on acclaimed series like Loki, as well as NFL legends Eli and Peyton Manning, who are executive producers through Omaha Productions. This collaborative effort points to the high aspirations tied to the series.
Powell shared insights on the charm of the character during the teaser, highlighting its basis on the sketch from Manning's ESPN+ docuseries Eli’s Places. “When we saw Eli as Chad Powers, we knew there was potential for something big,” he expressed alongside Waldron, both clearly enthusiastic about the project’s direction.
The cast is equally compelling, featuring Perry Mattfeld as Ricky, Quentin Plair as Coach Byrd, Wynn Everett as Tricia, Frankie A. Rodriguez as Danny, and Steve Zahn as Jake Hudson. These supporting roles are poised to amplify the comedic elements surrounding Powers’ exploits on the football field.
Chad Powers promises to merge charm and humor, drawing from the heartwarming essence of sports comedies. Powell's high-octane presence, mixed with the quirky adaptation of Manning's character, sets the stage for what viewers hope will be both funny and heartfelt. The looming question remains: can this blend of star power and comedic ambition score big on Hulu?
Aside from Chad Powers, Glen Powell is experiencing a prolific stretch, gearing up for various projects. He is headlining the revenge thriller Huntington alongside Margaret Qualley and Ed Harris, and is starring alongside Anthony Mackie and Laura Dern in the true story legal drama Monsanto, directed by John Lee Hancock. There’s also buzz around his involvement in another secret project from J.J. Abrams, and an all-star adaptation of Stephen King’s The Running Man under the direction of Edgar Wright.
With such exciting projects on the horizon, all eyes are on Powell as he embraces the whimsical charm of Chad Powers. The finalized series is not just expected to deliver laughs but also explore themes of redemption and the determination to succeed against all odds. Viewers will find out if Holliday's antics push beyond hurdles to regain his dreams on the football field as they mark their calendars for Chad Powers on Hulu.
