From sources unnamed and unconfirmed…I have heard semi-coherent rumblings that Steven Soderbergh is coming out of feature film directing retirement to tackle the next SLAP SHOT hockey film. He will also star as the fourth Hanson Brother.

The return of feature film director Steven Soderbergh

The original SLAP SHOT (1977) starred Paul Newman and he called it his favorite film experience ever. Directed by Oscar winning director George Roy Hill (The Sting) he had previously directed Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in 1969. It goes down in film history as one of the greatest sports films ever. Profane, violent, hilarious and as accurate to a minor league professional sport as has been. As a 10-year veteran of professional hockey I can attest to have seen or lived through every event in the original film.

In SLAP SHOT 4: THE LOST BROTHER…Seven Soderbergh will produce, write, direct, shoot, edit, cater and star as the long lost 4th Hanson Brother.

Steven Soderbergh will play the long lost Hanson Brother.

If the scuttlebutt on the cold ice sheets of Minnesota is correct…Slap Shot 4 will position Steven Soderbergh into the driver’s seat of redefining the hockey film genre. The spectre and stench of Stephen Baldwin’s Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice looms ominously above the 4th iteration of the franchise like an old, wet jockstrap. But Hollywood and hockey fans around the world have faith that Soderbergh can re-invigorate this tale of ice warriors with violence, humor, hijinks and Singani 63.