EXCLUSIVE: Santa Monica-based The Kennedy/Marshall Company has optioned the feature adaptation rights to breakout UK racehorse documentary It’s Showtime!.

The real-life tale of a group of friends from Darlington in the Northeast of England who collectively bought a bargain racehorse without any sort of pedigree after one too many drinks, first aired on ITV1 in April, before heading to streaming service ITVX.

In unexpected twist, the horse – renamed by the group as Showtime Mahomes after their favourite American football star, Patrick Mahomes – began winning races, much to their amazement as well as that of the elite racing world.

But beyond its victories, the horse became a catalyst for transformation, offering the men a fresh outlook on life’s challenges and found family. 

The inspirational tale, captured as a documentary by BAFTA award-winning producer Tania Alexander under the banner of her company Echo Velvet, garnered rave reviews in the UK, with The Guardian newspaper even declaring it was “a story for Hollywood.”

The Kennedy/Marshall Company was established by award-winning producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall in 1991.

Its upcoming productions include Twisters, The Beach Boys and the next instalment in the Jurassic World franchise with past titles featuring the 2003 sports movie Seabiscuit, inspired by the career of the titular legendary 1930s racehorse.

“We are thrilled to begin developing this incredible true story for the big screen. It’s the right story for today, bringing heart, humour, and real emotion to this thrilling, against all odds sports story,” said Marshall.

Kennedy/Marshall will produce alongside McKenna Marshall/Marshall Arts.

Marshall Arts is an independent production company focused on film, television, podcast, and digital production. Their latest project is a Tubi original feature set to be released later this year. Melissa Goodall will oversee the project for Kennedy/Marshall.

Echo Velvet, which produced the original documentary, is a London based independent production company that places real-life experiences at the heart of its content, working across television, film, commercial partnerships, and events.

“Showtime’s journey sees the classic British underdog make good and the power of friendship. We admire Kennedy/Marshall’s prestigious track record and are very excited to see this heart-warming, true story, brought to life for movie audiences,” said Echo Velvet CEO Alexander.

Kennedy/Marshall is represented by CAA and Ziffren Brittenham, with Echo Velvet represented by WME.