“Superman” Star David Corenswet Plays 'Real-Life Superhero' John Tuggle in “Mr. Irrelevant” First Look (Exclusive)
“Superman” Star David Corenswet Plays 'Real-Life Superhero' John Tuggle in “Mr. Irrelevant” First Look (Exclusive)
Jack SmartWed, April 15, 2026 at 4:00 PM UTC
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David Corenswet in Mr. Irrelevant: The John Tuggle StoryCredit: Clay Enos/Paramount Pictures -
PEOPLE has the first look at Mr. Irrelevant: The John Tuggle Story, starring David Corenswet, Isabel May and Michael Shannon, in theaters Dec. 25
The biopic tells the story of real-life New York Giants running back John Tuggle, who was the last selection in the 1983 NFL draft and who died in 1986
In the titular role, Corenswet "is the beating heart and soul of this movie, and I can't wait for audiences to see him playing this real-life superhero,” says director Jonathan Levine
David Corenswet is bringing a poignant real-life story to the big screen this Christmas.
The Superman star is trading a superhero cape for a football helmet in Mr. Irrelevant: The John Tuggle Story (in theaters Dec. 25). PEOPLE has the exclusive first look at the biopic centered on the late New York Giants running back John Tuggle, who became a beloved member of the NFL community after being the last selection, the so-called Mr. Irrelevant, in the 1983 draft. He then tragically died of cancer in 1986 at only 25.
"What happens when a person who has defined himself by optimism and resilience is faced with a losing struggle?" Corenswet, 32, tells PEOPLE when asked about telling this true story.
"Can grace and dignity and humor and love transform failure into its own kind of success? These are the questions I thought were asked by John's story and I think are asked of each of us at various points in life," he adds. "I love a reminder to smile at the person in front of me, or smile to myself, and just marvel at the reality of the moment. I think John served as that kind of reminder to a lot of people."
Mr. Irrelevant: The John Tuggle StoryCredit: Sarah Enticknap/Paramount Pictures
“The true story of John Tuggle was filled with triumph and laughter, romance and heartache,” says director Jonathan Levine. Depicting Tuggle onscreen “necessitated an actor who could deliver on all of those things: someone who radiated John's charm, charisma and infectious good nature, but also had the dramatic chops to navigate his journey with truth and depth,” says Levine. Corenswet “is truly the only person I can imagine playing John.”
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Nodding to the actor's previous role as 2025's Man of Steel, the filmmaker, 49, adds, “He is the beating heart and soul of this movie, and I can't wait for audiences to see him playing this real-life superhero.”
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David Corenswet and Isabel May in 'Mr. Irrelevant: The John Tuggle Story'Credit: Sarah Enticknap/Paramount Pictures
In the first-look images, a shirtless Corenswet can be seen training to get into pro football shape. He also shares an intimate moment with Scream 7 star Isabel May as “the love of John's life” Katie, as Levine says. May, 25, “delivers laughs and wit, sexiness and sadness.”
Playing New York Giants coach Bill Parcells, meanwhile, is none other than Michael Shannon. “Only he can find the humor behind Parcells' cantankerous, terrifying demeanor, as well as his giant heart,” says Levine, who last directed Shannon, 51, in 2015's The Night Before.
"There's a lot to look forward to," teases Corenswet. "Some great mustaches. Jonathan Levine knows music — you're gonna feel that. It got me dancing. That's in the movie."
Written by Nick Santora and also starring David Krumholtz as Julius "Whitey" Horai, Mr. Irrelevant will show the profound impact Tuggle had in his few years playing with the Giants. During their 1986–87 NFL season — which ended with a Super Bowl win — the team wore his number, 38, on their helmets.
“With this movie, we really wanted to harken back to the good old-fashioned Hollywood dramas of the '80s, super entertaining movies that are funny and heartfelt, and, more than anything, inspirational,” promises Levine. “I hope we were able to honor not only that cinematic legacy, but the inspiring legacy of John Tuggle as well.”
Paramount Pictures will release Mr. Irrelevant: The John Tuggle Story in theaters Dec. 25.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
