Courtesy of Paramount+
Eric Nelsen as Ennis in "1883"
Award-winning actor Eric Nelsen (1883) is back in the spotlight after announcing that his production company is in the development stages of "The Will Rogers Story."
Nelson, along with Director/Producer Johnathan Brownlee, confirmed that they are leading the development of this project under their Dallas/Fort Worth-based banner, I Never Met a Man I Didn't Like Films. Brian Kelley (Florida Georgia Line) is the Executive Producer along with Matt Waller, Greg Leftwich, Stephen Snedden, Justin Halliwell, and Molly and Rusty Reid, a release says.
"We are in active talks with distribution partners who have expressed interest in bringing this quintessentially American story to the world," Brownlee says. "Will Rogers' life is a roadmap of the American dream. His down-home candor and honesty, combined with keen insight and intelligence, brought people from all walks of life together, as he was trusted and beloved by all. He's truly one of the most iconic Americans."
Kelley confirmed that he and his cousin, Stephen Snedden, always had a mutual admiration for Rogers and his legacy.
"When we first came together to form CuzBro Productions, it was on our bucket list to be a part of a production that tells Will's legendary story," Kelley says. "We couldn't be more excited to partner with Johnathan and Eric. This brilliant team brings so much heart to the project."
Snedden adds, "We call Will the 'greatest cowboy that ever lived and can't wait to share his wit and wisdom with the world."
Born a citizen of the Cherokee Nation in 1879, William Penn Adair Rogers made a name for himself, doing rope tricks as a Vaudeville performer in his early life. Some of Rogers' other accomplishments include traveling the world three times, making 71 Hollywood films, and writing more than 4,000 nationally syndicated newspaper columns.
Rogers was also a trusted advisor to President Calvin Coolidge and an unofficial U.S. Ambassador globally. He tragically died alongside aviator Wiley Post when their small airplane crashed in northern Alaska while Rogers was touring to promote the growth of aviation.
