Edson Arantes do Nascimento, best known as Pelé, is soccer’s first-born son and now has a biopic coming out, simply titled Pele right before his country Brazil hosts the 2014 World Cup.
Variety showed the first picture from the movie capturing actor Leonardo Lima Carvalho playing the Brazilian superstar in more humbling surroundings, growing up in Bauru, Sao Paulo. In the movie Carvalho plays Pele from ages 10-13. The biopic will focus on Pelé's life from a young boy to his first World Cup victory in 1958. The film is co-written and co-directed by brothers Michael and Jeff Zimbalist.
According to The Hollywood Reporter Imagine Entertainment and Seine Pictures are behind the production, with the latter fully financing the film, having licensed the footballer's life rights from Sports Licensing International B.V.
Pelé is described as an origins movie and producer producer Ivan Orlic told Variety, “This is not just a soccer movie. This is a story about a boy who followed his passion and dream, and whose talent went on to change the world.”
Pelé has influenced the world with his soccer talent. He became a professional player at the age of 15 and joined the Brazilian national team within a year. Only at the age of 17, he helped Brazil win the World Cup in 1958, and went on to win again in 1962 and 1970. Since his retirement in 1977, Pelé has been a worldwide ambassador for football.