Cover Image: Kurtis Dallon | courtesy photo Kenny Holland as Jimmy Flinders
In Saturday’s Warrior, the central character is a teenager named Jimmy Flinders. In the original stage play, Jimmy is a rebellious teen struggling with peer pressure and his faith. Last week, we began filming the motion picture version of Saturday’s Warrior. In the film, we have the opportunity to really get to know the characters and deepen the story line. Jimmy isn’t just a rebellious teenager; he is a musical prodigy from a large musical family, like the Osmonds. He is also a rising rock star, with fame, fortune, and all the temptations that accompany them.
Unlike a stage play, a motion picture is up close and personal. Age matters, the vibe matters, and even the subtle look in the actor’s eye matters. We knew that in the film, we needed the “perfect Jimmy”.
As we began the casting process, we hoped for an actor who could play the role of both loving brother and rock star. Someone charismatic, who could get fans excited about being a part of the film, with the opportunity to get autographed photos, DVDs, attend screenings, and even be in the film through our Kickstarter campaign. (For more info, see .) We envisioned a Jimmy who would appeal both to those who remember the old Saturday’s Warrior, as well as those who are now discovering it for the first time.
In our auditions, we saw some amazing actors and singers. But, when all was said and done, we still had not found the perfect Jimmy. So, we kept searching. We even posted a video entitled “The Jimmy Flinders Search is On!” on our Facebook page Saturday’s Warrior 2016 – The Motion Picture. Incredibly, more than 53,000 people watched the video, including a woman from Arizona named Kelley McCormick. After seeing it, Kelley contacted us and said, “I think you need to meet my son, Kenny Holland.” (“Holland” is his stage name.)
In this interview, Kenny’s parents share their experience:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-il53d8lYE
When we first met Kelley’s son, Kenny Holland, it seemed too good to be true! Kenny is not only a talented young musician, but he is also a social media sensation. He has 1.9 million followers on Vine, 1.1 million on Instagram, almost 500,000 on Twitter, and a large following on Snapchat and Facebook. Like the fictional Jimmy Flinders, Kenny was raised in a large, musical, LDS family, and has five sisters! He is also a rising rock star. Because Kenny will likely face many of the same issues in the real world that Jimmy is faced with in the film of Saturday’s Warrior, he brings an authenticity to the role that is exciting. Truly, Kenny is the perfect Jimmy Flinders.
Here is a video of Kenny, introducing himself to Saturday’s Warrior fans:
Introducing Kenny Holland:
“Kenny is a seasoned performer, but he is new to acting,” Director, Michael Buster confided. “Kenny can do the ‘rock star thing.’ He’s just got that persona. But the question was, can he really act?” He adds, “The thing that really sold me on Kenny as the perfect Jimmy was when I saw him interact with his sisters [in the cast.] There is a softness to Kenny that you may not see in his rock star persona, but which shows up when he is around his family.”
Photo Director, Michael Buster
We have been filming for a week now, and today was Kenny’s first day of filming. Co-star Mason Davis, who plays Tod Richards, shares, “There was a moment today, while we were filming, when I looked at Kenny and he had tears streaming down his face. That goes beyond training. That is natural ability, to take something that is not real, and make it real.”
Photo: Mason Davis (as Tod) and Kenny Holland (as Jimmy) on set
In addition to being the perfect Jimmy Flinders, Kenny is wonderful to work with. During the rehearsal and pre-production process, he was cordial and respectful, acknowledging each person who entered the room, shaking their hand or even hugging them. In recording sessions, he’s not only energetic, he’s thoughtful. With each phrase he sings, he reminds us of what Jimmy is feeling at that point in the movie.
Today, in conjunction with the Kickstarter campaign, there were a group of VIP extras performing with Tod and Jimmy in a huge musical number in the park. Both actors were generous with their time and attention. After more than 12 hours on set in the sun, with an early morning tomorrow, they graciously stayed for photos and greeted these individuals…warmly thanking them for being a part of the film.
Over the past 40 years, Saturday’s Warrior has touched the hearts of many generations: those who first saw the stage musical in the 70s and 80s, their children who watched the VHS version in the 90s, and now their grandchildren and beyond, who will know Saturday’s Warrior, the Motion Picture. As Jimmy Flinders, Kenny Holland will bring the music and the message of Saturday’s Warrior to the next generation of warriors.
More information at .
SteveSeptember 9, 2015
The new Saturday's Warrior movie sounds like fun. I was excited to hear that Alex Boye is now a part of the show until I learned that they gave him the part that was going to MacKenzie Seiler (changing the part to a man). She is such a phenomenal singer. She needs to be in this movie. At the very least MacKenzie & Alex should do a duet.