Thorpe

Graced with unparalleled athletic abilities and a warrior’s spirit, Jim Thorpe was cast into a prejudiced world at a time and place unprepared to accept such a champion. Yet in the face of bitter oppression, greed and personal tribulation, he made them see greatness. Jim Thorpe, legendary Native American athlete, shined a brilliant light that revolutionized sports, changed lives and advanced culture and civility at a most critical time in our nation’s history. Often forsaken in life and forgotten in history, this is the big, triumphant story of a man whose impact on society and recognition as a cultural phenomenon are long overdue. Rich drama, iconic faces and compelling events — all polarized by the greatest athlete of modern times. His feats in the Olympics, college football, pro football, pro baseball, basketball and everything he touched are unparalleled by today’s standards. Spanning five decades from the late 1800s to the 1950s, this story is set during the greatest transformative era in our country and is enriched with a powerful cast of contemporaries: Pop Warner, Dwight Eisenhower, Teddy Roosevelt, Grantland Rice, George Halas, John McGraw, the Carlisle Indian Industrial School and many more. 

 

THORPE is a mesmerizing epic saga that captures the tale of one man’s relentless resolve, supernatural talent and triumph in times of astonishing challenge and turmoil. Cast into the spotlight as the world’s first celebrity superhero and into a culture fixated on wealth, power and dominance, his character was anything but that. Good-natured, dignified, unassuming and compassionate, he competed for the inherent joy of competition, while others saw this as an opportunity to ride his coattails. The story is compelling, enlightening, vastly entertaining and essential. 

 

THORPE will be the company’s bellwether project. Verily Storyworks has formed NATIVE HERO, LLC, to adapt, develop and produce this project.