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American Wrestler: The Wizard

  • 20162016
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
2.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Jon Voight, William Fichtner, Ali Afshar, Lia Marie Johnson, and George Thomas in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
Trailer for American Wrestler: The Wizard
Play trailer1:41
1 Video
23 Photos
DramaSport

In 1980, a teenage boy escapes the unrest in Iran only to face more hostility in America, due to the hostage crisis. Determined to fit in, he joins the school's floundering wrestling team.In 1980, a teenage boy escapes the unrest in Iran only to face more hostility in America, due to the hostage crisis. Determined to fit in, he joins the school's floundering wrestling team.In 1980, a teenage boy escapes the unrest in Iran only to face more hostility in America, due to the hostage crisis. Determined to fit in, he joins the school's floundering wrestling team.

IMDb RATING
7.2/10
2.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Alex Ranarivelo
  • Writers
    • Ali Afshar(story by)
    • Brian Rudnick(story by)
  • Stars
    • George Thomas
    • William Fichtner
    • Ali Afshar
Top credits
  • Director
    • Alex Ranarivelo
  • Writers
    • Ali Afshar(story by)
    • Brian Rudnick(story by)
  • Stars
    • George Thomas
    • William Fichtner
    • Ali Afshar
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 21User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 10 wins

    Videos1

    American Wrestler: The Wizard
    Trailer 1:41
    American Wrestler: The Wizard

    Photos23

    Jon Voight in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
    Lia Marie Johnson in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
    Ali Afshar in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
    George Thomas in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
    William Fichtner and George Thomas in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
    Lia Marie Johnson and George Thomas in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
    William Fichtner and George Thomas in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
    Jon Voight in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
    Chase Mowen and Shannon Collis on the set of American Wrestler the Wizard
    Actress Courtney Hope Turner attends the Premiere Of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment's 'American Wrestler: The Wizard' at Regal LA Live Stadium 14 on April 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.
    Actress Courtney Hope Turner attends the Premiere Of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment's 'American Wrestler: The Wizard' at Regal LA Live Stadium 14 on April 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.
    Director Alex Ranarivelo and actor George Kosturos on the set of American Wrestler: The Wizard.

    Top cast

    Edit
    George Thomas
    George Thomas
    • Ali Jahanias Ali Jahani
    William Fichtner
    William Fichtner
    • Coach Plyleras Coach Plyler
    Ali Afshar
    Ali Afshar
    • Hafez Tabadas Hafez Tabad
    Lia Marie Johnson
    Lia Marie Johnson
    • Kristi Larsenas Kristi Larsen
    Gabriel Basso
    Gabriel Basso
    • Jimmy Petersenas Jimmy Petersen
    Jon Voight
    Jon Voight
    • Principal Skinneras Principal Skinner
    Sasha Feldman
    Sasha Feldman
    • Dan 'Toad' Websteras Dan 'Toad' Webster
    Chase Mowen
    Chase Mowen
    • Mike Thornhillas Mike Thornhill
    Kevin G. Schmidt
    Kevin G. Schmidt
    • Rowan Knoxas Rowan Knox
    Nicholas Guilak
    Nicholas Guilak
    • Pashaas Pasha
    Shannon Collis
    Shannon Collis
    • Wendyas Wendy
    Karina Andrews
    • Miss Larsenas Miss Larsen
    Tony Panterra
    • Mr. Jahanias Mr. Jahani
    Salome Azizi
    Salome Azizi
    • Mrs. Jahanias Mrs. Jahani
    John Asadi
    John Asadi
    • Truck Driveras Truck Driver
    Iyad Hajjaj
    Iyad Hajjaj
    • Border Captainas Border Captain
    Alex Lorre
    Alex Lorre
    • Border Guardas Border Guard
    Ashley Michaelsen
    • Suzie Qas Suzie Q
    • Director
      • Alex Ranarivelo
    • Writers
      • Ali Afshar(story by)
      • Brian Rudnick(story by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    In this inspiring tale based on true events, 17-year-old Ali Jahani is a newcomer to a small California town, where he stands out as different in an unwelcoming community. Living with his embittered uncle, the boy faces a mountain of adversity everywhere he turns. Rejected by everyone but determined to fit in, he joins the school's floundering wrestling team. With a chance to change how others see him, Ali must step up and learn to be a hero. —Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
    bare chested maletruckknockingleaving the countrycheckpoint46 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Sport
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for violence, some disturbing images, language and thematic material
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Based on the real life of producer Ali Afshar who portrays Ali's uncle in the movie.
    • Goofs
      At the State tournament, the Cage Fighter logo can be seen on the back of Roman Knox's singlet. Cage Fighter apparel was not available in 1980 as it was not founded until 2007.
    • Quotes

      Hafez Tabad: I will admit it would be nice to see a Persian boy beat the Americans. In front of their friends and families, THAT is something I would like to see.

    • Connections
      Followed by American Fighter (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      Working For The Weekend
      Written by Paul Dean, Matthew Prenette, Mike Reno
      Performed by Loverboy

    User reviews21

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Inspirational
    This is an inspirational film and I am glad that I watched it. I will ask my kids to watch it, for several reasons not to go into on imdb - but it is well done for a movie of its type. A good showing from the characters and a "real" story. I liked it.
    helpful•2
    0
    • tnshocksmile
    • Mar 31, 2019

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 16, 2017 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Persian
      • French
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Amerikan Güreşçisi: Büyücü
    • Filming locations
      • Petaluma, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • ESX Entertainment
      • ESX Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 57 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

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    Exclusive clip from American Fighter starring Sean Patrick Flanery and George Kosturos
    May 12Flickeringmyth
    ‘American Fighter’ VOD Review
    ‘American Fighter’ VOD Review
    Jul 21Nerdly

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    Jon Voight, William Fichtner, Ali Afshar, Lia Marie Johnson, and George Thomas in American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016)
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