EXCLUSIVE: Well Go USA Entertainment has taken U.S. rights to Youngblood from Academy Award nominee Hubert Davis (The Well, Black Ice).
Well Go’s release will coincide with Canadian distributor Photon Films and Media, putting the film in theatres across North America on March 6, 2026.
The pic, which world premiered at TIFF earlier this fall, is a contemporary adaptation of the 1986 MGM Rob Lowe movie, and follows hockey prodigy Dean Youngblood, who travels from Detroit to Canada to join the Hamilton Mustangs in pursuit of his professional hockey dreams. Raised on a strict diet of toughness and discipline by his father, Dean arrives with undeniable talent – and an arrogance that quickly earns him enemies. As he confronts toxic behavior both on the ice and within himself, Dean is forced to decide what kind of man and player he wants to become.
Youngblood is produced by Aircraft Pictures in association with Dolphin Entertainment and Canadian theatrical distributor Photon Films and Media.
“We’re excited to introduce Youngblood to a new generation of viewers,” said Doris Pfardrescher, President and CEO at Well Go USA. “Dean Youngblood’s journey is more than a classic sports story; it is a powerful examination of courage, identity, and the pressures that shape us. The film blends electrifying on-ice action with heartfelt character heroism, taking the audience on an emotional ride. It’s an inspiring, adrenaline-charged story that stays with you long after the final buzzer.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with Well Go USA as well as Photon Films & Media in Canada to bring Youngblood to audiences across North America,” said Dolphin CEO, Bill O’Dowd. “The timing of the release is ideal for marketing efforts that will coincide with both the 40th anniversary of the original film’s release as well as the Winter Olympics, where men’s hockey consistently ranks among the most-watched events, often drawing up to 30 million U.S. viewers per game.”
The movie stars Ashton James (Boxcutter, Revenge of the Black Best Friend) as Dean Youngblood, Blair Underwood (Longlegs, Deep Impact, LA Law) as his father Blane Youngblood, Shawn Doyle (The Expanse, Fargo, Big Love) as Coach Chadwick, Alexandra McDonald (Night Blooms, Testament) as Jessie Chadwick, Henri Picard (The Dishwasher, For Those Who Don’t Read Me) as Denis Sutton, Donald MacLean Jr. (Workin’ Moms, Nurses) as Carl Racki, Olunike Adeliyi (The Expanse, Workin’ Moms) as Ruby Youngblood, Emidio Lopes (Painkiller, The Changeling) as Kelly Youngblood and Tamara Podemski (Outer Range, Reservation Dogs) as Ms. McGill.
Pic was adapted by screenwriters Josh Epstein and Kyle Rideout, Seneca Aaron and the late Charles Officer. Dolphin Entertainment’s Bill O’Dowd and Emerson Davis serve as EPs, alongside Allan Fung and Photon Films and Media’s Mark Slone and Zanne Devine. Aircraft Pictures’ Anthony Leo and Andrew Rosen produced the film. The film is produced with the financial participation of Telefilm Canada and the Talent Fund, Ontario Creates and the Shaw Rocket Fund.
CAA Media Finance and Dolphin Entertainment, which brokered the deal with Well Go on behalf of the filmmakers, continues to represent the film’s international distribution rights.
