Sony Pictures Animation, the studio behind “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” is heading to the court with its latest original feature. “GOAT,” an action-comedy set in an all-animal world, follows Will, a determined young goat who earns a shot to play roarball—a high-intensity, full-contact sport dominated by the largest and fiercest animals in the league.
The film, which opened in theaters Feb. 13, features a voice cast led by Caleb McLaughlin (“Stranger Things”) as Will Harris, Gabrielle Union (“The Inspection”) as veteran player Jett Fillmore, and four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry as Lenny Williamson, a towering giraffe with a passion for music. Curry also serves as a producer through his company Unanimous Media.
An Underdog Story With Cultural Flavor
“Great sports movies are emotional, inspirational, and transcendent,” said director Tyree Dillihay. “They inspire people to want to strive to be great. I love that about our story. But it’s also funny. This idea of rhinos, polar bears and this tiny goat—with their oversized bling, tunnel walks and signature sneakers—dribbling, dunking or setting picks made me laugh out loud from the beginning.”
The film introduces roarball, a co-ed sport played on dynamic oversized courts that incorporate natural obstacles such as vines, ice, and lava. Players use not only their paws and claws but also tails, horns, wings, and tongues. According to the filmmakers, the game is considered too dangerous for smaller animals—a barrier Will is determined to break.
Co-director Adam Rosette noted that the story extends beyond sports. “It represents what it’s like to have a dream, not only what it’s like to play sports,” he said. “If you’ve ever had a dream—something that you aspire to be—this movie is for you.”
A World Built on Basketball Culture
The film’s visual language draws heavily from basketball culture, streetwear, and music. Production designer Jang Lee said the team created 49 different animal species for the film, each with its own silhouette and style. Costume designer Dominique Dawson outfitted characters with looks inspired by real-world fashion, from oversized hoodies for Will to high-end statement pieces for Jett.
Curry, whose journey to NBA stardom mirrors the film’s underdog theme, said the cultural details were intentional. “We included the accessories, the clothes, a dope soundtrack—the cultural references that everybody can laugh at and appreciate,” he said. “This is a timeless story—if you watch it 20 years from now, you’ll go back to a moment in time.”
A Cast of All-Stars
The voice cast includes Nicola Coughlan (“Bridgerton”) as Olivia Burke, an ostrich struggling with confidence; Nick Kroll (“Big Mouth”) as Modo Olachenko, an eccentric Komodo dragon; David Harbour (“Stranger Things”) as Archie Everhardt, a rhino who has traded his aggressive playing style for fatherhood; and Patton Oswalt as Dennis Cooper, the long-suffering coach of the Vineland Thorns.
Aaron Pierre voices Mane Attraction, the league’s arrogant MVP, while Jenifer Lewis plays Flo Everson, the posh and calculating owner of the Thorns. Supporting roles feature Jelly Roll, Jennifer Hudson, Andrew Santino, Bobby Lee, Sherry Cola, and Eduardo Franco.
Several athletes also appear in cameo roles: WNBA stars A’ja Wilson and Angel Reese, NBA player Kevin Love, retired three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade, and 19-year NBA veteran Andre Iguodala, who also served as a consultant on the film’s basketball action.
Behind the Scenes
Dillihay and Rosette direct from a story that originated with “Farm Team,” a chapter in Chris Tougas’ illustrated book “Funky Dunks.” Producer Michelle Raimo Kouyate, who previously worked on “The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story,” said the film’s world draws from basketball, street culture, hip hop, and fashion. “We blended the natural world and real-world elements to create the overall feel for the film,” she said.
The film’s score is composed by Kris Bowers, who incorporated Brazilian percussion, Hungarian folk instruments, and hip-hop influences to reflect the diverse characters and settings. The soundtrack also includes original songs from artists across the United States, Argentina, Africa, and Korea.
Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson described “GOAT” as part of the studio’s recent creative momentum. “It has imagination, cultural relevance and the kind of characters that really stick with you—like a giraffe who raps and a rhino dad who can’t say no to his little rhino daughters,” she said. “And it’s funny—cleverly funny with humor that comes from the characters and this wild and compelling animal world.”
“GOAT” is rated PG for some rude humor and brief mild language. It opened in theaters Feb. 13.
