Categories: Bossier City, LABreaking NewsNewsSport

Shreveport-Bossier’s Vibrant Sports Film History

Crowd enjoying a sports film festival in Shreveport-Bossier

News Summary

Shreveport-Bossier has established itself as a notable locale for sports films, featuring hits like ‘The Guardian’ and ‘Ruffian’. This article dives into the blockbusters filmed in the area and their impact on the film industry. Additionally, the excitement surrounding the new professional arena football team, the Shreveport Rouxgaroux, adds to the area’s rich sports culture, providing a promising future for sports lovers.

Shreveport-Bossier’s Sports Film Legacy: A Dive into the Blockbusters

When you think of Shreveport-Bossier, you might picture its vibrant culture and delicious cuisine, but you might be surprised to learn that this charming area has also played host to some remarkable sports movies over the years! Yup, that’s right! From thrillers with big name stars to heartwarming stories about perseverance, this locale has made quite a name for itself in the film industry.

The Heavyweights: Top-Grossing Films

Have you heard of the 2006 hit “The Guardian”? This action-packed movie stands out as the top-grossing sports film shot in the Shreveport-Bossier area, pulling in an astounding nearly $95 million worldwide! It may have had a production budget of $70 million, but the film, which features the amazing talents of Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher, showcases the intense training and unwavering dedication of U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmers. It’s no surprise that this gem has made such a significant impact!

While “The Guardian” shines brightly, other notable films have also left their mark in the area. “Playing for Keeps”, starring the charming Gerard Butler, tells the story of a former professional soccer player trying to coach his son’s youth team. Released in 2012, it earned $30.9 million, but didn’t quite break even against its $35 million budget. Still, it’s a comedic spin on the struggles of fatherhood and sports!

The Heartwarming and Inspiring Stories

Among the films created in this area, you can’t miss “Ruffian”, a made-for-TV movie from 2007. It chronologically dives into the life of the incredible racehorse, Ruffian, and was filmed at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City. This is a heartwarming tribute to one of racing’s legends that evokes both strong emotions and admiration for the athlete in the animal world.

And then there’s “The Longshots”, released in 2008. Directed by Fred Durst, this film tells the inspiring true story of Jasmine Plummer, the first female quarterback to compete in a Pop Warner football tournament. It managed to gross $11.7 million at the box office, although it came up short against its $23 million production budget. Its message of breaking barriers resonates strongly, showing that dreams are achievable regardless of gender.

Other Noteworthy Films

But that’s not all! The list of blockbusters filmed in Shreveport-Bossier continues to grow. The area hovered under the spotlight during the 37th annual National Travel and Tourism Week, showcasing not just sports films, but a range of hits, such as “Olympus Has Fallen” featuring Gerard Butler, which was filmed near the CenturyLink Center in Bossier City. Another resonating title is “Mad Money” starring big names like Katie Holmes, Diane Keaton, and Queen Latifah, shot in Shreveport’s scenic South Highland neighborhood.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson added some action to the area with scenes from “Snitch”, highlighting the downtown Shreveport skyline. And let’s not forget the memorable, albeit intense, horror flick “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, which included parts filmed at Bayou Thunder Saloon.

The Excitement Continues

Reporters also mentioned the buzz surrounding upcoming events in the area, particularly with the Shreveport Rouxgaroux, a professional arena football team. This is a new and thrilling chapter for sports lovers, especially with the excitement of their 10 home games being aired for free starting February 21. Just imagine the atmosphere!

All in all, Shreveport-Bossier has a thriving sports film legacy, bringing stories of passion, triumph, and fun to local and global audiences alike. So, the next time you settle in to watch a sports movie, take a second to think about the great place where that movie may have come from. And who knows? You might just find yourself cheering on the Rouxgaroux soon!