EXCLUSIVE: On the heels of launching Reign, Run-A-Muck, a creator-led, multi-platform company, is expanding its women sports division with the development of the movie Courtside, a modern sports romantic comedy set in the world of professional women’s basketball. Courtside is being developed with deep ties to the world it portrays, with players Gabby Williams, Theresa Plaisance, and Syd Colson all set to appear. Colson will also executive produce, alongside an appearance from Run-A-Muck co-founder Jennifer Beals.
“This is exactly the kind of story we want to be telling at Run-A-Muck,” said Run-A-Muck co-founder and Chief Creative Officer Ilene Chaiken. “Women’s sports are driving culture in a way that feels undeniable, and there’s a real appetite for character-driven queer stories that reflect that world authentically. With REIGN, we’re creating space to tell those stories across formats, grounded in the voices and experiences of the athletes themselves.”
Written by Brittani Nichols and directed by Carly Usdin, the film follows an injury-plagued women’s hoops superstar whose championship ambitions are upended when she falls for her teammate.
“It feels like I’ve been waiting my whole life for this kind of excitement to surround women’s basketball, and I’m excited to blend my love of sports, lesbian tension, and comedy into one project,” said Nichols.
Courtside marks the second feature film collaboration for Nichols and Usdin, whose debut feature, Suicide Kale, won Audience Awards at both Outfest and NewFest.
“I don’t think I’ve ever said yes to an opportunity faster than I did for Courtside,” added Colson. “I respect Carly and Brittani’s sense of humor so much and being involved with this in any capacity sounded amazing! 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.”
REIGN’s growing slate also includes its flagship podcast Is She Game?, hosted by breakout creator Coach Jackie J, which will debut later this summer on YouTube and podcast platforms.
Nichols is an exec producer on Abbot Elementary. Usdin created the show The Syd + TP Show.
