reported by Brian Scott, CyberScreenwriter.com

"We Are Marshall," an inspirational drama based on a true story of one town's efforts to rebuild after a devastating plane crash, has commenced production in Huntington, West Virginia for Warner Bros. Pictures in association with Legendary Pictures.

The film is directed by McG (the "Charlie's Angels" series) and stars Matthew McConaughey ("Failure to Launch"), Matthew Fox (ABC's "Lost") and Oscar nominee David Strathairn ("Good Night, and Good Luck"). The announcement was made today by Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

"We Are Marshall" tells an inspiring true story set in Huntington, West Virginia, a small town steeped in the rich tradition of college football. For decades, players, coaches, fans and families have come together to cheer on Marshall University's "Thundering Herd." For this team and this community, Marshall football is more than just a sport, it's a way of life. But on a fateful night in 1970, while traveling back to Huntington after a game in North Carolina, 75 members of Marshall's football team and coaching staff were killed in a plane crash. As those left behind struggled to cope with the devastating loss of their loved ones, the grieving families found hope and strength in the leadership of Jack Lengyel, a young coach who was determined to rebuild Marshall's football program and in the process helped to heal a community.

"We Are Marshall" stars Matthew McConaughey as Jack Lengyel, the coach who leads Marshall University and the Huntington community from tragedy to triumph; Matthew Fox as assistant coach Red Dawson, who helps Lengyel rebuild the team after giving up his seat on the doomed flight to another member of the Marshall squad; and David Strathairn as the president of Marshall University, who attempts to restore the school's broken spirit against overwhelming odds. The film also co-stars Anthony Mackie ("Million Dollar Baby") as passionate team captain Nate Ruffin and Kate Mara ("Brokeback Mountain") as Marshall's head cheerleader Annie Cantrell.

A Thunder Road / Wonderland Films production of a McG film, "We Are Marshall" is directed by McG from a screenplay by Jaime Linden, based on a story by Cory Helms & Jaime Linden. The film is produced by Basil Iwanyk ("Firewall") and McG. The executive producers are Brent O'Connor ("Firewall"), Thomas Tull ("Superman Returns"), Scott Mednick ("Superman Returns") and Jeanne Allgood. The director of photography is Shane Hurlbut ("Drumline"), and the production designer is Tom Meyer ("Blue Crush"). Film sports coordinator Mark Ellis ("The Longest Yard") will choreograph the film's football action.

The film will shoot on location in West Virginia and in various locations in Atlanta.

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