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American Wrestler: The Wizard

  • 20162016
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
2.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Jon Voight, William Fichtner, Ali Afshar, Lia Marie Johnson, and George Thomas in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
Trailer for American Wrestler: The Wizard
Play trailer1:41
1 Video
23 Photos
  • Drama
  • Sport
In 1980, a teenage boy escapes the unrest in Iran only to face more hostility in America, due to the hostage crisis. Determined to fit in, he joins the school's floundering wrestling team.In 1980, a teenage boy escapes the unrest in Iran only to face more hostility in America, due to the hostage crisis. Determined to fit in, he joins the school's floundering wrestling team.In 1980, a teenage boy escapes the unrest in Iran only to face more hostility in America, due to the hostage crisis. Determined to fit in, he joins the school's floundering wrestling team.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
2.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Alex Ranarivelo
  • Writers
    • Ali Afshar(story by)
    • Brian Rudnick(story by)
  • Stars
    • George Thomas
    • William Fichtner
    • Ali Afshar
Top credits
  • Director
    • Alex Ranarivelo
  • Writers
    • Ali Afshar(story by)
    • Brian Rudnick(story by)
  • Stars
    • George Thomas
    • William Fichtner
    • Ali Afshar
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 23User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 10 wins

    Videos1

    American Wrestler: The Wizard
    Trailer 1:41
    American Wrestler: The Wizard

    Photos23

    Jon Voight in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
    Lia Marie Johnson in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
    Ali Afshar in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
    George Thomas in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
    William Fichtner and George Thomas in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
    Lia Marie Johnson and George Thomas in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
    William Fichtner and George Thomas in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
    Jon Voight in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
    Chase Mowen and Shannon Collis on the set of American Wrestler the Wizard
    Actress Courtney Hope Turner attends the Premiere Of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment's 'American Wrestler: The Wizard' at Regal LA Live Stadium 14 on April 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.
    Actress Courtney Hope Turner attends the Premiere Of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment's 'American Wrestler: The Wizard' at Regal LA Live Stadium 14 on April 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.
    Director Alex Ranarivelo and actor George Kosturos on the set of American Wrestler: The Wizard.

    Top cast

    Edit
    George Thomas
    George Thomas
    • Ali Jahanias Ali Jahani
    William Fichtner
    William Fichtner
    • Coach Plyleras Coach Plyler
    Ali Afshar
    Ali Afshar
    • Hafez Tabadas Hafez Tabad
    Lia Marie Johnson
    Lia Marie Johnson
    • Kristi Larsenas Kristi Larsen
    Gabriel Basso
    Gabriel Basso
    • Jimmy Petersenas Jimmy Petersen
    Jon Voight
    Jon Voight
    • Principal Skinneras Principal Skinner
    Sasha Feldman
    Sasha Feldman
    • Dan 'Toad' Websteras Dan 'Toad' Webster
    Chase Mowen
    Chase Mowen
    • Mike Thornhillas Mike Thornhill
    Kevin G. Schmidt
    Kevin G. Schmidt
    • Rowan Knoxas Rowan Knox
    Nicholas Guilak
    Nicholas Guilak
    • Pashaas Pasha
    Shannon Collis
    Shannon Collis
    • Wendyas Wendy
    Karina Andrews
    • Miss Larsenas Miss Larsen
    Tony Panterra
    • Mr. Jahanias Mr. Jahani
    Salome Azizi
    Salome Azizi
    • Mrs. Jahanias Mrs. Jahani
    John Asadi
    John Asadi
    • Truck Driveras Truck Driver
    Iyad Hajjaj
    Iyad Hajjaj
    • Border Captainas Border Captain
    Alex Lorre
    Alex Lorre
    • Border Guardas Border Guard
    Ashley Michaelsen
    • Suzie Qas Suzie Q
    • Director
      • Alex Ranarivelo
    • Writers
      • Ali Afshar(story by)
      • Brian Rudnick(story by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Based on the real life of producer Ali Afshar who portrays Ali's uncle in the movie.
    • Goofs
      At the State tournament, the Cage Fighter logo can be seen on the back of Roman Knox's singlet. Cage Fighter apparel was not available in 1980 as it was not founded until 2007.
    • Quotes

      Hafez Tabad: I will admit it would be nice to see a Persian boy beat the Americans. In front of their friends and families, THAT is something I would like to see.

    • Connections
      Followed by American Fighter (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      Working For The Weekend
      Written by Paul Dean, Matthew Prenette, Mike Reno
      Performed by Loverboy

    User reviews23

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Excellent feel good movie
    As soon as I saw the poster for this one, I knew I was going to like it.

    I am a bit of a sucker for a feel good sport movie, especially when they are based on true events like this one is.

    You can not go wrong with Jon Voight and William Fichtner as far as I am concerned, they very rarely do a bad movie and they do not disappoint here. George Kosturos as Ali is excellent and Ali Afshar as his uncle Hafez hits all the right notes.

    I am old enough to remember the 1980 hostage saga and Ronald Reagan being elected President, so it brings back a lot of memories.

    Very much worth watching and one I will be watching again, a suggestion for some would be to have the tissues handy.

    Very solid 8/10
    helpful•21
    2
    • nowego
    • May 16, 2017

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 16, 2017 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Persian
      • French
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Amerikan Güreşçisi: Büyücü
    • Filming locations
      • Petaluma, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • ESX Entertainment
      • ESX Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 57 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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    Jon Voight, William Fichtner, Ali Afshar, Lia Marie Johnson, and George Thomas in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
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