Owen Wilson He has played memorable characters in films like midnight in Paris, Marley and me and good penetrators. Now the actor faces a new challenge in “Stick”Apple TV+ series that marks its debut as protagonist of a production about the universe of golf. The series, which premiered on June 4, mixes humor, drama and overcoming – and had its backstage revealed by Wilson and young actor Peter Dager, in Exclusive interview with CNN Brazil.
“Connecting with my father through golf has made this one of the most significant creative experiences of my life,” Owen told CNN.
In production, Wilson lives Pryce Cahill, a former professional golfer who has seen his career collapse for 20 years. Betting everything on a new chance of redemption, he decides to train Santiago “Santi” Wheeler, a young 17 -year -old talent played by Dager.
Throughout the plot, sport serves as a backdrop for universal themes such as mourning, maturing and building new family relationships.
First swings and a lot of preparation
Although he grew up surrounded by the sport – his father and brothers played – Owen revealed that he had never really ventured into golf. “I always found it intimidating. My father was very good, and that seemed very serious,” he said.
To bring Pryce to life, the actor devoted himself as never before: “I’ve done movies where I should learn some skill and I ended up not learning. I could have done it again, but this time it was different.She was proud of myself for kept firm. “
“I had classes with several different people – which is probably not the best way to learn,” joked the actor. “But from each one I heard dialogues and funny stories that I could base myself on the series.”
“Even if my swing is not very good, I came to a point where sometimes I can do very well. Today I can play with my brothers and have fun,” he added.
Peter Dager, in turn, started practically from scratch. Former baseball player, he says he only had real contact with the sport while preparing for the paper. “The Baseball Swing Movement helped a little, but I had to train every day with a consultant to look like a real golfer,” he said.
Backstage with golf legends
The authenticity in the scenes was taken seriously: the actors trained with Nathan Leonhardt, former Canadian golfer who played 37 rounds of the PGA.
In addition, several golf stars make special appearances in the series – including Collin Morikawa, Keegan Bradley, Max Homa and Wyndham Clark. Also present are the narrators of CBS Sports Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman, as well as creators of content such as the people of Good Good Golf.
Filming of the matches used drones, underwater cameras and zoom lenses to capture sports dynamism with cinematic accuracy.
Drama, comedy, restarts and good strokes
“Stick” is directed by names like Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton (Little Miss Sunshine), and production by Ben Silverman, responsible for hits such as The Office and Ugly Betty.
More than a golf series, the plot bets on the emotional connection between its characters and stories that dialogue with the audience of all ages – even those who have never taken a club.
“Santi is a phenomenon, and that rekindles something in Pryce,” said Wilson. “He sees the boy a chance to do something big again – and perhaps even find his purpose again.”
Stick’s first season has 10 episodes and debuted exclusively on Apple TV+ on June 4, with three episodes released at once and new chapters every Wednesday.
The full interview with Owen Wilson and Peter Dager airs on Friday (13), at 11:30 pm (Brasília), on the CNN program.
