Steph Curry says he'd accept 'a nice role' in 'Black Panther 3' if director Ryan Coogler offered it
Sundance Institute
- "Stephen Curry: Underrated," a documentary about the NBA legend, premiered at Sundance on Monday.
- During a Q&A, Curry joked about joining the cast of "Black Panther 3."
- Franchise director Ryan Coogler was a producer on "Underrated."
Stephen Curry wouldn't turn down a role in "Black Panther 3" if Ryan Coogler, the Marvel franchise's director, offered it.
That's what the NBA legend told a raucous Sundance Film Festival crowd at the premiere of "Stephen Curry: Underrated," a documentary exploring his extraordinary career.
Coogler, a producer on the film, joined Curry, director Peter Nicks, and others involved in the project for an audience Q&A following the screening on Monday in Park City, Utah.
"Tell him to see if we can shoot it in the summer and see if he can find a nice role for me in that universe," Curry said in response to an audience member's half-joking question about "Black Panther," whose third chapter is expected but has not been announced.
"Absolutely, you put the pressure on and we'll see what he says," Curry added of Coogler.
"Underrated" chronicles Curry's rise from high school phenom in Charlotte, North Carolina, to Division I recruit at Davidson College to NBA superstardom. The film culminates in the Golden State Warriors' 2022 NBA championship win — the team's fourth since Curry was drafted as a point guard in 2009.
The documentary's narrative centers on Curry's years at Davidson under Coach Bob McKillop, who led his team to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2008 — they made it to the Elite 8 before falling to the University of Kansas. Several of Curry's Davidson teammates are interviewed in the documentary, and some were at the premiere.
The film opens with Reggie Miller, another NBA legend, reading aloud from a tepid 2009 draft report on Curry, which criticized his rushed shooting and "skinny" frame. Curry knew early on — from age 9, he says on screen — that his size put him at a disadvantage. "But I knew I could shoot."
Curry was desperate to attend Virginia Tech, his parents' alma mater (father Dell Curry also played in the NBA), but Davidson's McKillop was the coach who took a chance on the slight player and gave him the confidence to develop into a two-time NBA MVP. McKillop is the documentary's key supporting star and appeared on stage during the Q&A.
"St. Francis of Assisi — and I'll paraphrase — said 'Preach without using words,'" McKillop told the crowd of Curry. "That's what he does, he preaches without using words."
"What happens on the basketball court is exactly what happens in life — the wins, the losses, the joys, the sorrows, the tears, the laughter, the love, the teamwork," McKillop continued. "Stephen represents the best of all those qualities."
Curry answered questions about his athletic journey and also his faith, which was not featured prominently in the film but which he called "a huge part" of his career and life. Filmmakers included footage of Curry's missteps — including his first college game, where he made 13 turnovers — as well as his triumphs, which include finally completing his Davidson degree in 2022 (he dropped out for the NBA draft before graduating).
"We all start from somewhere and we learn things along the way," Curry told the audience. "It's amazing that my story can inspire people to keep on keeping on, to surround themselves with amazing people, to push through the doubts, to push through the criticism, push through the times when people kind of count you out. To see it up there on the screen, it gave me even more juice and motivation. Nothing is by accident, it's all designed by God."
The film ends with the Warriors' 2022 championship win — intercut with moments from Davidson's 2008 season. "I can always get better," Curry told the Sundance crowd. "I might be sometimes stubborn and naive to think that but even as I stand here now I feel like I can still reach another level. I can still keep refining the craft, I can still become better off the court in all the different roles that fulfill my life."
"Underrated," which was acquired by Apple TV+ in October, was produced by Proximity Media (a production company Nicks and Coogler launched together), Curry's company Unanimous, and A24. Its streaming premiere date on Apple TV+ has not been announced.
The Curry doc comes as Apple pushes further into sports, spending $335 million a year on Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer rights for Apple TV+ and hiring for a range of roles to support that programming. Insider reported that the tech giant is in search of a top ad exec to lead sales for streaming and sports as the company's content ambitions grow.
"Underrated" also represents the latest entry in Hollywood's sports documentary boom as Netflix, Amazon, Disney, and more studios and streamers lean into the genre and athletes build content careers alongside their athletic journeys.