A new trailer for Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty shows John C. Reilly as Jerry Buss building a dynasty around the young phenom, Magic Johnson. Based on a book by Jeff Pearlman, the upcoming limited series was developed by Adam McKay, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker behind The Big Short, Vice, and Don't Look Up, though he's also had success on the small screen as an executive producer of HBO's hit series, Succession. Max Borenstein who is known for his work on Legendary's MonsterVerse series, wrote all episodes of Winning Time.
As indicated by its full title, Winning Time will chronicle the rise of the Los Angeles Lakers dynasty circa the 1980s. The series will cover this time, known as the Showtime era, through the eyes of the team's owner, Jerry Buss, played by McKay's frequent collaborator, Reilly. With the first pick in the 1979 NBA draft, the Lakers selected Magic Johnson (played by Quincy Isaiah) to pair with their superstar center, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Solomon Hughes), which effectively kicked off their decade-long dynasty. Winning Team stars a massive ensemble cast that also includes two Oscar winners: Adrien Brody as the Lakers head coach, Pat Riley, and Sally Field as Jerry's mother, Jessie Buss.
Now, a full-length trailer for Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty is here, previewing the new limited series coming to HBO next month. The trailer highlights how, through various means, Jerry Buss was able to return the Lakers to prominence during the 1980s and build a dynasty around Magic Johnson. Watch the trailer below:
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The trailer does its best to highlight every member of its ensemble cast, although there is almost too many to name. Though comedian Bo Burnham was initially cast as Larry Bird, the trailer reveals Sean Patrick Small as the rival Boston Celtics legend. As featured in the trailer, additional cast members include Jason Clarke as Jerry West, DeVaughn Nixon as Norm Nixon, Hadley Robinson as Jeanie Buss, Jason Segel as Paul Westhead, Gaby Hoffmann as Claire Rothman, and Rob Morgan as Earvin Johnson Sr.
The new trailer for Winning Time is keen marketing on HBO's part as it chooses to emphasize how the series will be about much more than just basketball as it also will show the personal lives of those involved in the team. Set against the backdrop of the glitz and glamour of 1980s Los Angeles, the trailer also showcases how Buss was able to turn Laker games into a bonfide box office-attraction replete with dancers and celebrity fans. The wait for Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty won't be too long, as the series airs March 6 on HBO.
Source: HBO/YouTube