Friday Night Lights, Billy Bob Thornton

Friday Night Lights

(Oct. 15)

REAL PEOPLE Odessa, Texas, 1988 high school football team the Permian Panthers and their coach, Gary Gaines

PLAYED BY Billy Bob Thornton (''Monster's Ball'') plays Gaines; Derek Luke (''Antwone Fisher'') is star running back James ''Boobie'' Miles

REEL PEOPLE Based on the 1990 controversial best-seller by H.G Bissinger (''Lights'' director Peter Berg's cousin), the film chronicles Miles' fall from grace after being sidelined by a knee injury, and takes a tough look at the role of sports in the racially divided and economically depressed town. Gaines reportedly felt betrayed by the book, and is said to be leery of how he'll come across on film. But at least the film improves the team's record: While the Panthers actually lost in the semifinals, the movie takes them all the way to the finals at the Astrodome.

Originally posted Aug 10, 2004
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