• Vinnie Jones: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) Perhaps the most prolific in the footballer-turned-actor fraternity, the former Wimbledon hardman made his debut in Guy Richie’s 1998 hit Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels playing, yup, a cockney hardman. Not one to shy away from typecasting, he has played the same role in more than 50 films, both British and Hollywood, since. Some of his memorable movie outings include Snatch (2000), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) and Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012).Courtesy Summit Entertainment
    Vinnie Jones: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) Perhaps the most prolific in the footballer-turned-actor fraternity, the former Wimbledon hardman made his debut in Guy Richie’s 1998 hit Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels playing, yup, a cockney hardman. Not one to shy away from typecasting, he has played the same role in more than 50 films, both British and Hollywood, since. Some of his memorable movie outings include Snatch (2000), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) and Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012).Courtesy Summit Entertainment
  • David Beckham: Goal! (2005) It’s hardly surprising that one of the world’s most famous footballers should have dipped his toes in cinematic waters. It’s equally unsurprising that the result was critically panned, given that for all his fame, boyish good looks and silky skills on the pitch, Beckham has the personality of a sponge. Even the presence of Anna Friel and a soundtrack featuring the likes of UNKLE and ... And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of The Dead didn’t help reviews, which panned the predictable storyline and over- reliance on sport clichés. Courtesy BV Entertainment
    David Beckham: Goal! (2005) It’s hardly surprising that one of the world’s most famous footballers should have dipped his toes in cinematic waters. It’s equally unsurprising that the result was critically panned, given that for all his fame, boyish good looks and silky skills on the pitch, Beckham has the personality of a sponge. Even the presence of Anna Friel and a soundtrack featuring the likes of UNKLE and ... And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of The Dead didn’t help reviews, which panned the predictable storyline and over- reliance on sport clichés. Courtesy BV Entertainment
  • Pelé: Victory (1981) Pelé’s most famous movie role came in the 1981 classic Victory (also known as Escape to Victory, depending on the region the film was released in). Although Pelé may be, for many, indisputably the greatest footballer ever, it seems the producers weren’t so sure about his acting skills. In common with the rest of the footballing cast, his lines were kept to a minimum while his feet did the talking. A cursory glance at the current Emirates advertisement in which Pelé stars alongside Cristiano Ronaldo suggests they may have done the right thing.
    Pelé: Victory (1981) Pelé’s most famous movie role came in the 1981 classic Victory (also known as Escape to Victory, depending on the region the film was released in). Although Pelé may be, for many, indisputably the greatest footballer ever, it seems the producers weren’t so sure about his acting skills. In common with the rest of the footballing cast, his lines were kept to a minimum while his feet did the talking. A cursory glance at the current Emirates advertisement in which Pelé stars alongside Cristiano Ronaldo suggests they may have done the right thing.
  • Nicolas Anelka: Le Boulet (2002) In fact, why stop at Anelka? It seemed that after Eric Cantona’s moderately successful turn to acting, half of his French teammates jumped on the acting bandwagon – Anelka, David Ginola, Zinedine Zidane and Frank Leboeuf, to name just four who could line up alongside Cantona in a pretty tidy five-a-side team. Anelka’s debut came in the 2002 film Le Boulet, in which he stretches himself to the limit playing a footballer called Nicolas. Oddly, despite his professed desire to turn to acting full-time, he doesn’t seem to have appeared in anything since. AFP
    Nicolas Anelka: Le Boulet (2002) In fact, why stop at Anelka? It seemed that after Eric Cantona’s moderately successful turn to acting, half of his French teammates jumped on the acting bandwagon – Anelka, David Ginola, Zinedine Zidane and Frank Leboeuf, to name just four who could line up alongside Cantona in a pretty tidy five-a-side team. Anelka’s debut came in the 2002 film Le Boulet, in which he stretches himself to the limit playing a footballer called Nicolas. Oddly, despite his professed desire to turn to acting full-time, he doesn’t seem to have appeared in anything since. AFP
  • Ian Wright: Gun of the Black Sun (2011) The former England and Arsenal striker has developed into something of an English national treasure since his playing career ended, and although his best-known acting role may have been in the Chicken Tonight advertisements, he also featured in the 2011 caper Gun of the Black Sun. The plot features an enchanted Nazi pistol and a plot to bring Nazi rule back to Europe. Yes, it is just as bad as it sounds. AFP
    Ian Wright: Gun of the Black Sun (2011) The former England and Arsenal striker has developed into something of an English national treasure since his playing career ended, and although his best-known acting role may have been in the Chicken Tonight advertisements, he also featured in the 2011 caper Gun of the Black Sun. The plot features an enchanted Nazi pistol and a plot to bring Nazi rule back to Europe. Yes, it is just as bad as it sounds. AFP

In pictures: Footballers who’ve turned to the silver screen

Olga Camacho

June 16, 2014

  • English
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Pictures of footballing legends who tried to transfer their talents to the big screen.

Film