Antonio Banderas and Danny Trejo Star in "Armadillo United"

"Armadillo United" is an upcoming fantastical sports drama featuring Antonio Banderas and Danny Trejo. The film tells the story of 12-year-old Dante Delgado and his fictional soccer team as they navigate their journey to the World Cup of Youth Soccer in Rio de Janeiro. Banderas portrays Diego, an eccentric ice cream vendor who believes he is the legendary Argentine soccer player Diego Maradona, imparting vital soccer and life lessons to the young protagonist.

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The film reunites Banderas and Trejo, who have previously collaborated in films such as "Desperado" (1995) and "From Dusk Till Dawn" (1996). Trejo plays Coach Koko, the leader of Armadillo United's arch-rivals, The Champions. Rubén Blades takes on the role of Coach Yepez, a former professional soccer star, while Danay Garcia plays Dante's mother, DeeDee. The film is directed and written by Alan Jacobs, with production led by Elizabeth Avellán, Brent Morris, and Paul Merryman. Mike Golub, a Major League Soccer executive, serves as the executive producer.

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Filming for "Armadillo United" is set to commence in March at Troublemaker Studios in Austin, Texas, with additional scenes filmed in Brazil and Spain. The production team is collaborating closely with the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer, which will provide players and coaches for the film's extensive soccer sequences. Approximately 30 players from the Houston Dynamo Academy are expected to appear in the movie, supported by their actual coaches.

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Alan Jacobs emphasized the film's core theme, stating, “In a word, the film is about joy. The joy of being a kid, the joy of playing the beautiful game, and the joy of delivering this magical story to the world.” He expressed confidence that the cast would inspire young audiences.

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The collaboration with Major League Soccer highlights the film's commitment to authenticity in its portrayal of soccer. Jacobs noted, “You can’t make a great soccer movie without great soccer players,” underscoring the importance of involving talented young athletes from the MLS Academy program, which he describes as the future of U.S. soccer.

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• “In a word, the film is about joy. The joy of being a kid, the joy of playing the beautiful game, and the joy of delivering this magical story to the world,” — Alan Jacobs, Director

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• “You can’t make a great dance movie without great dancers and you can’t make a great soccer movie without great soccer players.” — Alan Jacobs, Director

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"Armadillo United" aims to capture the spirit of youth and the excitement of soccer, promising a feel-good narrative that resonates with audiences of all ages.

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