Bill Skarsgård, Ray Nicholson, Nicholas Galitzine, and Tom Francis are set to star in Netflix and Peter Berg’s forthcoming WWII drama, The Mosquito Bowl. Filming is anticipated to begin this summer.
The Mosquito Bowl is an upcoming Netflix Original war and sports drama directed, written, and produced by Peter Berg, who recently renewed his creative collaboration with Netflix and his production company Film 44. This studio has previously produced Netflix projects such as Spenser Confidential, Painkiller, and American Primeval.
Mark L. Smith (The Revenant) co-wrote the screenplay alongside Berg. Peter Berg acts as an executive producer through Film 44, while Brian Grazer (A Beautiful Mind) and Alex Gayner (American Primeval) produce for Imagine Entertainment. Ezra Emanuel (Strange Darling) is also confirmed as an executive producer.
What is the Plot of The Mosquito Bowl?
A detailed synopsis from ProductionWeekly reveals:
When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, college football was at the peak of its popularity. As America prepared for total war, the United States Marine Corps became the coveted destination for many college football stars. On Christmas Eve 1944, the 4th and 29th Marine regiments found themselves training in the Pacific Ocean for what would become the war’s bloodiest battle—the invasion of Okinawa. Among their ranks were some of the greatest football talents ever assembled: former All-Americans, team captains from Wisconsin, Brown, and Notre Dame, and nearly twenty men who were either drafted into or went on to play in the NFL. Heated trash talk between the 4th and 29th over who had the superior football team culminated in a decision: the two regiments would face off in a football game as authentic as possible amidst the dirt and coral of Guadalcanal.
The intense and brutal game that followed became known as “The Mosquito Bowl.” Within months, 15 of the 65 players participating were killed at Okinawa, marking the largest loss of American athletes in a single battle. The Mosquito Bowl tells the story of these brave and resilient young men—the survivors and the fallen—as well as the families and environments that shaped them. It portrays a more innocent era in college athletics and American life, as well as the sacrifice and loss of that innocence.
Who Are the Cast Members of The Mosquito Bowl?
Currently, four actors have been confirmed to star in The Mosquito Bowl: Bill Skarsgård, Ray Nicholson, Nicholas Galitzine, and Tom Francis. The specifics of their roles remain undisclosed.
Bill Skarsgård has previously appeared in two Netflix Originals: the horror series Hemlock Grove as Roman, and as Willard Russell in The Devil All the Time. He is widely recognized for his portrayal of Pennywise the Killer Clown in IT and Count Orlok in Nosferatu.
Photo: Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise in IT (left) and as Count Orlok in Nosferatu (right).
Ray Nicholson is gaining recognition in Hollywood with recent roles in films like Novocaine, Borderline, and Smile 2. The Mosquito Bowl will mark his debut on Netflix.
Photo: Ray Nicholson in Smile 2 (left) and Novocaine (right).
Nicholas Galitzine has featured in two Netflix Originals: the 2019 TV series Chambers and the 2022 romantic drama Purple Hearts. He recently appeared in the STARZ series Mary & George and will star as Prince Adam Glenn/He-Man in the upcoming Masters of the Universe film.
Photo: Nicholas Galitzine in Chambers (left) and Purple Hearts (right).
Tom Francis is primarily known for his stage work, with performances in productions such as Hair, What’s New Pussycat?, & Juliet, and Sunset Boulevard. He has appeared in Netflix’s fifth season of You as Clayton and will also feature in Noah Baumbach’s upcoming Netflix film Jay Kelly later this year.
Photo: Tom Francis in You Season 5 (left) and performing on stage in Sunset Boulevard (right).
What Is the Production Status of The Mosquito Bowl?
- Development
- Filming Scheduled
- Filming Ongoing
- Post-Production
The movie is currently in pre-production. Although official shooting dates haven’t been announced yet, filming is expected to begin in Summer 2025.
When Is The Mosquito Bowl Coming to Netflix?
Since principal photography has not started, a release in 2026 seems unlikely, especially if the filming process is extensive. It is more probable the film will premiere on Netflix in 2027.
Are you excited to watch The Mosquito Bowl on Netflix? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
