Women's sports are once again getting the Hollywood treatment, as a new WNBA movie gets underway.
Former UConn Huskies and current Golden State standout Gabby Williams is joining WNBA champions Sydney Colson and Theresa Plaisance in an upcoming women's basketball romantic comedy called Courtside.
The project aims to bring queer representation and genuine athletic experience to the big screen.
Multi-platform media company Run-A-Muck — co-founded by actress Jennifer Beals — is developing the project. Brittani Nichols, an executive producer for the hit series Abbott Elementary, wrote the screenplay, while Carly Usdin comes on as director.
Meanwhile, Colson will pull double duty by also serving as the film's executive producer. She previously collaborated with Usdin on The Syd and TP Show, a comedy podcast also featuring Plaisance.
WNBA Stars Bring On-Court Experience to 'Courtside' Movie
The film focuses on an injury-plagued basketball superstar whose championship goals shift unexpectedly when she falls in love with her teammate.
"I don't think I've ever said yes to an opportunity faster than I did for Courtside," Colson told Deadline.
"I'm elated to see a new generation of women's sports films. I can already feel how transformative this movie will be in terms of representation on screen for minorities, queer people, and women's basketball players and fans alike."
While producers have not yet announced an official release date, the project marks a significant milestone for the WNBA's ongoing popularity surge. However, Williams and Colson aren't the only WNBA players making a splash off the court.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers is attached to star in and executive produce Apple TV's upcoming Jess & Pearl. She will headline the basketball-focused series alongside Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese.
Both projects usher in what appears to be a significant crossover era for some of league's biggest names.
NCAA basketball champion Flau’jae Johnson and WNBA champions Sydney Colson and Theresa Plaisance all share a passion for their sport and a flair for entertainment.
But they definitely don’t share musical talent, as seen on the latest episode of Colson and Plaisance’s unscripted comedy series “The Syd + TP Show.”
In one segment of the show, the Las Vegas Aces players crash Johnson’s studio time, much to the LSU guard’s chagrin. Colson’s attempt at rapping includes a Chuck E. Cheese reference.
“Look Flau, you want these bars or not?” Colson asks Johnson. “Because we’re trying to be the realest and the illest in the league, you know? They say you’re the best, so show us the best.”
Luckily for Colson and Plaisance, Johnson provides a demonstration of her own skills at the microphone. The LSU sophomore balances her burgeoning basketball and music careers, with the Tigers preparing to start their title defense months after Johnson dropped a 13-song mixtape with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation under its Equity Distribution platform.
“I love making records. Like, I can spit and enjoy freestyling, but I love making songs because I can show my versatility,” Flau’jae told Revolt in August. “I cannot wait for the fans to start hearing my new music.”
While Colson and Plaisance might not have rap careers in their futures, they’re showing off their own talents through their comedy show, which is produced by TOGETHXR, Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort and Fubo.
“I feel like our sense of humor and our personalities are what could attract people to basketball, if they don’t already watch it,” Colson told Forbes.