NEW YORK – by Markos Papadatos
[Photo Credit: Angel Studios]
Primetime Emmy award-winning and Greek-American actor Michael Chiklis (“The Shield”) spoke with Markos Papadatos about starring in the new Angel Studios sports drama film “The Senior.”
Greek business magnate Aristotle Onassis once said: “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”
An individual who has been bringing light, positivity, and levity to film and TV fans worldwide for well over 30 years is veteran entertainer Michael Chiklis.
Rod Lurie directed “The Senior” from a screenplay by Robert Eisele. It will be in theaters on September 19th.
Aside from Chiklis as Mike Flynt, it stars Mary Stuart Masterson as his wife Eileen Flynt, Brandon Flynn (“13 Reasons Why”) as his son Micah Flynt, James Badge Dale as J.V. Flynt, and Rob Corddry (“Bookie”) as Coach Sam Weston.
The synopsis is: At 59, Mike Flynt might be too old to play college football—but not too old to settle some unfinished business.
Nearly four decades after leaving his team, he returns to his alma mater to face the moment that changed everything.
Bruised, doubted, and nearly broken, he fights for one last game—not for glory, but for the teammates he lost, the family he fractured, and the ending he still believes is possible.
On starring in “The Senior,” he exclaimed, “It was such a great time. I’m very fortunate; there are certain flagpoles along the way of your career that are the great ones.”
“This is one of the great projects for me, especially from an experience standpoint, from a material standpoint, and a familial standpoint,” he noted.
“It’s one of those things, where everything came together,” Chiklis said. “It was a wonderful cast, we had an incredible director, and great producers, all of which got together to tell a really compelling, amazing, true story.”
On playing Mike Flynt, Chiklis said, “It allowed me to play football for the first time in 40 years. I was the captain of my football team in high school.”
“I never imagined in a million years that I would actually suit up in pads again and play tackle football again, but I did and we did it, and I had a great time,” he conceded.
“While I was sore as heck, it was worth every minute of it, and it was just fantastic,” he exclaimed.
On starring in something like the hit procedural drama series “The Sheild” (where he played Detective Vic Mackey) vs. doing a project such as “The Senior,” Chiklis stated, “Well, ‘The Shield’ was just an entirely different tone and tenor.”
“‘The Shield’ was really dark and it dealt with a lot of the darker aspects of the human condition. This movie delves into some of the darkness, but it is about coming out of the darkness and overcoming that,” he explained.
“I love Mike’s story because it’s a redemption tale,” he stressed. “As much as this movie is a football story, it really isn’t. It’s much more of a redemption story and it’s about second chances. We all have regrets in our lives. We all have things that we wish we could do a little differently, or maybe a lot differently.
“We’ve all looked back at things that we’ve done or said, and facepalm. There are things that we want to do good on, and Mike Flynt really did that. He is an inspiration,” Chiklis underscored.
“When you see a movie like ‘The Senior,’ you get to be entertained, but it also makes you think, feel, laugh and cry. It’s just fantastic,” he added.
Chiklis acknowledged that his Greek heritage is “very important” to him.
“I could talk about that for three hours,” he admitted. “The older I get, the more I really appreciate what it is to be a Greek, and what it has meant to Western society in general, and to Western civilization.”
“I feel really fortunate that my parents were innately philosophical, and as we Greeks tend to be, they were very adamant about me learning about Greek history and my Greek heritage,” he explained.
“Although I did lose the language, that’s one thing I deeply regret. I think that my grandparents were very concerned about assimilating into society. So, they wanted us to speak English all the time,” he elaborated.
“We were going to school and speaking English. So, the Greek language is somewhere in the back of my brain, but I would have to go and spend some real time in Greece to get the language back,” he added.
On the title of the current chapter of his life, Chiklis revealed, “Grandfather” or as they say in Greek, “Papouli.”
“My oldest daughter is about to make me a grandfather, or I should say ‘Papouli’ in Greek,” he said.
On his definition of the word success, Chiklis said, “Success means equilibrium, a balanced life, being able to look at your life in totem and say, ‘I have a beautiful family, I have beautiful friends, and I have a wonderful career.”
Chiklis continued, “I get to travel and I get to see and explore the world. I know that the simplest things are the greatest things in this life.
“Also, if I can make a beautiful meal, some ‘stifado’ or some ‘spanakopita’ or sit on a table and have a little wine, enjoy the company of my friends, and get to look at a beautiful sunset, then, there’s nothing better than that in life,” he concluded.
American track and field running legend Steve Prefontaine once said: “To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift.” Michael Chiklis embodies this wise quote from the running icon.
To learn more about Michael Chiklis, follow him on Instagram.
For more information on “The Senior,” visit the official Angel Studios website.
Review: ‘The Senior’ starring Michael Chiklis
Michael Chiklis (“The Shield”) stars as Mike Flynt in the new inspirational Angel Studios film “The Senior.” It will be officially released in theaters on September 19th.
Aside from Chiklis, it stars Mary Stuart Masterson, Brandon Flynn (“13 Reasons Why”), with James Badge Dale, and Rob Corddry (“Bookie”).
Rod Lurie directed from a screenplay that is rich and resonant by Robert Eisele. Everyone in the cast is given their own characterization.
The synopsis is: At 59, Mike Flynt (Michael Chiklis) might be too old to play college football—but not too old to settle unfinished business.
Nearly four decades after leaving his team, he returns to his alma mater to face the moment that changed everything.
Bruised, doubted, and nearly broken, he fights for one last game—not for glory, but for the teammates he lost, the family he fractured, and the ending he still believes is possible.
Chiklis gives a performance for the ages as Mike Flynt, where he commands every scene he is in, and he does so in a raw, organic, and compelling manner. He captures the psyche of the elderly athlete and layers his emotions well.
The same holds true for Brandon Flynn, who plays his son, Micah, a college lecturer whose relationship with Mike is rocky and contentious.
Mary Stuart Masterson shines as his endearing wife Eileen, who serves as his voice of reason. Their affecting rapport allows for more resonance.
Rob Corddry delivers as Sam Weston, the Sul Ross University football coach who sees passion and drive in Flynt.
The Verdict
Overall, “The Senior” is a captivating new movie by Angel Studios, where Michael Chiklis showcases his sense of triumph. This faith-driven film is not afraid to push the envelope, and it will move viewers on an emotional level (and make some cry for joy in the end).
Mike Flynt himself would be proud of Chiklis’ bold and brave portrayal, and the same goes for the rest of the gifted cast, as each person brings something distinct to this poignant story.
It is worth more than just a passing glance, and it garners an A rating. Well done.
