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The Game Plan (film) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Game Plan is a fun American family comedy film released in 2007. It was directed by Andy Fickman. The movie stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Madison Pettis, and Kyra Sedgwick.

The story is about a professional football player who suddenly discovers he has an 8-year-old daughter he never knew about! This film was the last one distributed by Buena Vista Pictures before Disney changed its branding that year. It's also the last movie where Dwayne Johnson was called "The Rock" in the credits. The Game Plan came out in the United States on September 28, 2007.

Quick facts for kids
The Game Plan
TheGamePlanposter.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Andy Fickman
Produced by
  • Mark Ciardi
  • Gordon Gray
Screenplay by
  • Nichole Millard
  • Kathryn Price
Story by
Starring
Music by Nathan Wang
Cinematography Greg Gardiner
Editing by Michael Jablow
Studio
Distributed by Buena Vista Pictures
Release date(s) September 23, 2007 (2007-09-23) (Hollywood)
September 28, 2007 (2007-09-28) (United States)
Running time 110 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $22 million
Money made $146.6 million

The Story of Joe and Peyton

The movie starts with a big football game. Joe Kingman (Dwayne Johnson) is a star quarterback for the Boston Rebels. He scores a touchdown but ignores his teammate, Travis Sanders.

The next morning, an 8-year-old girl named Peyton Kelly (Madison Pettis) shows up at Joe's door. She tells him she is his daughter! Her mom, Sara, sent her to meet him. Joe's agent, Stella Peck (Kyra Sedgwick), worries this will be bad for his image. She thinks it will distract him from the upcoming playoffs.

Joe accidentally leaves Peyton alone at his new restaurant opening. This makes him look bad in the news. Stella decides Joe needs to look more like a good dad. At a press conference, reporters ask Joe tough questions. Peyton steps in and defends him. She says he is new to being a dad and is trying his best. She even calls him the best father in the world!

Peyton then tells Joe he needs to repay her. She makes him take her to a ballet school. There, they meet Monique Vasquez (Roselyn Sánchez), the ballet teacher. Monique makes Joe join a ballet performance. This shows him that ballet needs just as much skill as football. Joe and Peyton start to build a real relationship. Peyton helps Joe see that he can be a bit selfish.

Joe takes Peyton and her new friends to the mall. He starts to like Monique. The Rebels keep winning their football games. They make it to the championship game in Arizona. They will play the New York Dukes again.

Stella offers Joe a huge deal if he wins the game. He could get $25 million from Fanny's Burgers. While at lunch, Peyton accidentally lets slip a secret. Her mom doesn't know she is with Joe. Peyton was supposed to be at a ballet program. Instead, she ran away to be with Joe.

Peyton then has an allergic reaction to nuts in her dessert. Joe quickly takes her to the hospital. The doctors say she will be fine.

Peyton's aunt and legal guardian, Karen Kelly, arrives to take her home. Joe learns that Sara, Peyton's mother, passed away six months ago. Peyton had sneaked away on her own. Peyton overhears Stella saying she would be a distraction to Joe. So, Karen and Peyton go home.

Later, Joe finds photos and a letter from Sara in Peyton's bag. Sara wrote that she kept Peyton a secret. She didn't want Peyton to distract Joe from his football career.

The championship game begins, but Joe is distracted. He gets injured. Then, he sees Peyton has come to the game with Karen! Karen understands that Joe wants to be in Peyton's life. She decides to let Peyton live with Joe.

Near the end of the game, Joe makes a great play. He throws the ball to Travis Sanders. Sanders catches it, and the Rebels win their first championship! After the game, Joe turns down the big endorsement deal. He chooses to be with Peyton instead.

Who's in the Movie?

Some famous sports commentators also appear as themselves in the movie. These include Marv Albert and Boomer Esiason, who do commentary for the games. Steve Levy and Stuart Scott also appear as themselves, reporting on Joe Kingman for SportsCenter.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: The Game Plan para niños

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