'He's a good actor': Winnipegger set to appear in locally shot Woody Harrelson movie recounts on-set memories
A Winnipegger soon to appear with Woody Harrelson in an upcoming movie is looking forward to his silver screen debut, after the film’s trailer premiered this week.
Cole Guderyan heard about the opportunity to be cast in the Winnipeg-shot film through St. Amant, a non-profit organization that works with Manitobans who live with developmental disabilities and autism.
The movie, called “Champions,” is billed as a heartwarming tale about a basketball team training and competing in the Special Olympics under the guidance of an imperfect but dedicated coach, played by Harrelson.
Last September, St. Amant helped put out the casting call for the film, seeking people 16 years and up who live with developmental disabilities and autism.
Guderyan, who has autism, has been accessing services through St. Amant for a few years now, and jumped at the chance to be in a movie.
“I do like acting. I find it fun and interesting,” he said in an interview with CTV News.
Guderyan, who appears as an extra in the film, said he spent a few days on set. He said the shoot involved a lot of waiting around in between takes, but it paid well.
“I’m supposed to play maybe at least two or three scenes in the movie, where I play as one of the basketball players,” he said.
Guderyan even got some face time with Harrelson in between shooting. During a break, he went for a walk and ran into the veteran actor on the street.
Cole Guderyan said he spent a few days on the Winnipeg set of the upcoming Woody Harrelson movie "Champions". He even had a chance encounter with the movie star in between scenes.
“His security didn’t take me as a threat, and that’s when I introduced myself, and he introduced himself. We even shook hands,” he recalled.
The two talked about Harrelson’s lengthy career, which includes appearances in “Cheers,” “The Hunger Games” franchise and “The People vs. Larry Flynt".
Guderyan counts his meeting with Harrelson as the highlight of the shoot.
“He’s a good actor,” he said.
A trailer for the film was released Monday, and racked up 3.3 million views on YouTube as of Wednesday afternoon.
It will be released in theatres on March 24th.
As for Guderyan, he’s looking forward to seeing himself on the big screen.
He also doesn’t rule out more acting work in the future.
“I hope they make a Champions 2,” he said.
- With files from CTV's Jon Hendricks
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries 'Roots,' has died. He was 87.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Luxury cruise line selling world cruise suite for US$1.7 million
Luxury operator Regent Seven Seas Cruises is raising their price tag to eye-watering levels, with a suite on an upcoming 140-day world voyage costing US$1.7 million.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
A Filipino villager is nailed to a cross for the 35th time on Good Friday to pray for world peace
A Filipino villager has been nailed to a wooden cross for the 35th time to reenact Jesus Christ’s suffering in a brutal Good Friday tradition he said he would devote to pray for peace in Ukraine, Gaza and the disputed South China Sea.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
King Charles will attend Easter Sunday service at Windsor
Buckingham Palace officials say King Charles III and Queen Camilla will attend an Easter service at the chapel at Windsor Castle on Sunday.