HBO has shared the first teaser for Adam McKay’sWinning Time series, which chronicles the rise of the Showtime Lakers in 1980s Los Angeles.
Starring John C. Reilly as Lakers team owner Jerry Buss, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty is set to premiere on HBO and HBO Max in March 2022. McKay serves as an executive producer and directed the pilot episode of the limited series, which is based on Jeff Pearlman’s book, Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s. Max Borenstein is the co-writer and showrunner of the series, while Jim Hecht co-wrote the story.
The first teaser showcases Reilly in the lead role, as he looks to take over Los Angeles by buying the Lakers and turning them into a dazzling entertainment product, starting with the draffting and signing of Magic Johnson. Featuring a distinctively ‘80s look, complete with period appropriate film grain and a washed-out color palette, Winning Time promises to dive deep into the personal and professional lives of all those involved with the Lakers’ unstoppable ‘80s run. There’s even a brief shot of the cockpit from Airplane!, which starred Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as co-pilot Roger Murdock.
The teaser also offers a look at Solomon Hughes’ take on Abdul-Jabbar, Jason Clarke as Jerry West, DeVaughn Nixon as his real-life father Norm Nixon, Adrien Brody as Pat Riley, and newcomer Quincy Isaiah as Magic. Others featured in the show include Gillian Jacobs, Jason Segel, Gaby Hoffman, and Sally Field. As to be expected with anything from McKay, the cast is absolutely stacked.
McKay recently revealed that he and his frequent collaborator Will Ferrell had a major falling out over the series, after Ferrell expressed his desire to play Buss. Without telling his friend first, McKay gave it to John C. Reilly. As a result, McKay said Ferrell “took it as a way deeper hurt than I ever imagined.” He attempted to patch things up, and admitted he “fucked up” his handling of the situation, but has yet to hear back from Ferrell.
Watch the teaser up top.
