MOVIES

Hey Packers fans, 'The 60 Yard Line' movie is coming to a theater near you

Kendra Meinert

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

"The 60 Yard Line" will have its Green Bay premiere Sept, 6 before opening in select theaters across the Upper Midwest on Sept. 7.

The wait for “The 60 Yard Line” is over.

The Packers-themed movie, filmed in Ashwaubenon and Green Bay, will take a victory lap in theaters beginning Sept. 7.

“The 60” will open in more than 21 Marcus Theatres multiplexes, including Bay Park Cinema in Ashwaubenon and Green Bay East Cinema. Additional theaters will be announced.

As promised by filmmaker Ryan Churchill, Green Bay will get its own premiere. Bay Park and Green Bay East will each host special screenings on Sept. 6 that will include a tailgate with beer, brats and Bloody Marys 90 minutes prior to the screening, and a 30-minute Q&A with cast and crew afterward.

Tickets for the premiere — 6:30 p.m. at Bay Park and 7:30 p.m. at Green Bay East — are on sale for $18 at marcustheatres.com. They include the screening, Q&A and access to the tailgate.

Details of a post-party at Titletown Brewing Co., along with other festivities, are still to be announced.

It will be the first real opportunity for Packers fans to get a look at the romantic comedy/buddy comedy that was filmed primarily at an Ashwaubenon house at the corner of Oneida Street and Stadium Drive near Lambeau Field in the fall of 2015 and winter of 2016. Other locations included the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Several scenes were shot in Los Angeles.

Set during the 2009 football season, the feature-length film tells the story of what happens when diehard Packers fan Ben “Zagger” Zagowksi decides to use his wedding fund money to buy a house next to Lambeau so he can party on game days. When it turns into “Graceland for Cheeseheads,” it causes problems with his fiancee.

Beloit native Ryan Churchill, who plays Zagger, co-wrote and co-produced the independent project with fellow Los Angeles actor Nick Greco. The movie made its world premiere in April with a sold-out showing at the Wisconsin Film Festival in Madison, where it won the Jury Award. It also was named Best Comedy at the Independent Filmmakers Showcase in L.A.

“Born and raised a diehard Packers fan, this film is a passion project for me and so many of our local cast and crew members,” Churchill said in a statement. “Being able to shoot in my home state, in the parking lot of Lambeau Field with the tremendous support of the Green Bay community was a dream come true. We can’t wait to share this relatable story of football super fandom.”

“The 60” features cameos by former Packers players Ahman Green, John Kuhn and Mark Tauscher. Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt, WFRV newscaster Tom Zalaski and rock band Muddy Udders also show up, along with a host of local extras during a tailgating scene and a cow from Ebert Enterprises in Algoma.

There's plentiful name dropping of local landmarks and some fun with local dialect, too.

The movie's Superfan Contest and Sweepstakes gives Packers fans a shot at winning tickets to the Packers season opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 10, VIP access to the Green Bay premiere and tailgate party at "The 60" house, merchandise and other prizes. To enter, fans should post a photo or video to the film's Facebook or Instagram accounts with hashtag #The60 that demonstrates what makes them a Packers superfan. More details at the60yardline.com.

"The 60" will be available on demand this fall.