I’m not sure if the name Eddie the Eagle (pictured left) will mean much to Americans but for those of you in the U.K., you will know exactly who he is. Eddie was a rather rubbish British ski jumper who came somewhat of a notorious media sensation in Britain where he was the first representative from this country to ever appear in the Ski Jumping event at the Winter Olympics. The year was 1988 and of course he came last in every category.

He was rubbish but because he was British and was the best we had, he became a much loved figure.

Steve Coogan has been hired to play ‘the Eagle’ for a big screen adaptation for producer John Heyman reports Variety. The casting of Coogan would probably suggest the movie is going for the light-hearted comedy routine but the actor’s comments to the trade hint that there could be some depth to the movie…

“His story is a very British story, and he is a very British kind of hero…When I read the story, I found it funny but, more surprisingly, quite moving. Quirky, dysfunctional, slightly nerdy, but his balls must be made of titanium.”

I actually think this is a great idea. Can you imagine being in an Olympic event but struggling to compete in your category and people back home actually taking to you as a cult ‘loser’ figure who they can cheer on because your so crap. That most have been a difficult thing to go through and Coogan is easily talented enough to show the darker side of all this. He did it great with his Alan Partridge show and I think given the right intentions this could work as a great movie.