Kyle Gallner To Play Wayne Gretzky In Kevin Smith’s ‘Hit Somebody’ | /Film

Anybody who knows anything aboutKevin Smithknows that Kevin Smith is a massive hockey fan. He’s also a massiveWayne Gretzkyfan. So the news that Smith has castKyle Gallnerto play The Great One in his upcoming hockey filmHit Somebodyis just about the biggest compliment Smith could pay the young actor.

Gallner just finishedworking with SmithonRed Stateand also had significant parts in theA Nightmare on Elm Streetremake andJennifer’s Bodyto go along with an extensive TV resume (Big Love, Veronica Mars, etc.) But how does Gretzky play into Smith’s upcoming hockey film starring anotherRed StatealumNicholas Braun? Find out after the jump.

Thanks toCinema Blendfor the heads up on this story. They heard the news by listening to Smith’sRed State of the Union podcast, during which the writer/director talks extensively about his latest film which premieres in less than a week’s time at the Sundance Film Festival.

On the podcast, Smith explained that Gallner’s role as Gretzky, who actually turns 50 later this month, will be from early in his career when he first hit the NHL as a hot shot center for the Edmonton Oilers. The moment reportedly takes place about 3/4ths into the film and Smith called it“the lynchpin” for the main character Buddy McKracken. Gretzky is everything McKracken wants to be.

As we’vepreviously written,Hit Somebodyis“based on a Warren Zevon song with lyrics by acclaimed writer Mitch Albom, is a story of a hockey enforcer who strives to score just one goal in a hockey game.”

You can listen to the song below. It basically tells the entire story of the movie.

What do you think about the character of Wayne Gretzky appearing inHit Somebody?

Source