Full Breakdown
“Little Five” Brings the First Women’s Little 500 Race to the Screen
8/20/2026, 1:23:15 AM
Overview of the Film
A new period drama titled “Little Five” is in production, dramatizing the inaugural women’s Little 500 bicycle race at Indiana University in the early 1980s. The story follows four young cyclists who unite to challenge the university’s male-dominated sports culture and pursue a historic victory. The narrative is described as a celebration of teamwork and the transformative power of breaking gender barriers in collegiate athletics.
Cast and Characters
- Jane Curtin – cast as Dean Weston, the decisive academic leader who mentors the female cyclists.
- Sasha Frolova, Nadia Alexander, Rain Spencer, and Ariana Greenblatt – portray the four central athletes who form the pioneering team.
- Drew Powell – appears as Will, a supporting character.
- Max Cortezi – plays TFG.
- Additional casting news includes David Oyelowo in an undisclosed role.
All casting decisions were announced by the film’s producers, who confirmed Curtin’s involvement and her representation by Creative Artists Agency (CAA).
Production Context
The film is produced by Anne Hathaway’s Somewhere Pictures in partnership with Pigasus Pictures. Director Ian Samuels leads the project, working from a screenplay co-written by Gillian Williams and Paul Shoulberg. Filming is underway in Bloomington, Indiana, where “hundreds of local residents” have been recruited as extras for large-scale scenes that recreate the atmosphere of the historic race.
Significance and Anticipated Impact
“Little Five” seeks to highlight a largely untold chapter of women’s sports history, emphasizing how collective effort can reshape longstanding traditions. By situating the narrative within the iconic Little 500 race, the film aims to bring broader awareness to the challenges and triumphs of early female athletes in collegiate competition, potentially inspiring renewed interest in gender equity within university sports programs.
