'Rise' Film to Stream Across Disney Bundle

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Disney Plus's basketball-theme movie based on lives of Antetokounmpo family debuts on Hulu, ESPN Plus on August 18

Rise
(Image credit: Disney Plus)

Disney Plus's original basketball-themed film Rise will stream across Hulu and ESPN Plus for a limited time.

The film, which chronicles the real-life story of Nigerian-born NBA players and brothers Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo along with younger brother Alex, debuted on Disney Plus June 24 and will launch on Hulu and ESPN Plus beginning August 18, according to Disney Plus. 

Rise chronicles the exploits of the Anteokounmpo family who, after emigrating from Nigeria to Greece, struggled to survive while living under the daily threat of deportation. Nevertheless, Anteokounmpo brothers Giannis and Thanasis would beat the odds, become pro NBA players and go on to help bring the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks their first championship ring in 50 years, while Kostas played for the previous season champs, the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Rise stars Dayo Okeniyi, Yetide Badaki, Manish Dayal, Taylor Nichols, Ral Agada and Uche Agada. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Douglas Jones served as the executive producers.■

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.