David Corenswet is swapping Superman for a very different kind of underdog in Mr. Irrelevant, with Paramount releasing the first trailer for the new film based on the true story of NFL player John Tuggle. Corenswet plays Tuggle, who was selected by the New York Giants with the final pick of the 1983 NFL Draft. Isabel May and Michael Shannon also star in the film, which follows Tuggle as he fights to prove himself on the field while facing challenges that eventually extend beyond football.

Who Was John Tuggle?

John Tuggle was an American football player who became the final player selected in the 1983 NFL Draft when the New York Giants picked him in the last round.

Being the final draft pick traditionally comes with the nickname “Mr. Irrelevant”, but Tuggle went on to make the Giants roster and turn what could have been a brief NFL story into a genuine underdog journey. He played under then first-year Giants head coach Bill Parcells and earned his place with the team despite entering the league with very little expected of him. His story later took a devastating turn when he was diagnosed with cancer in 1984. Tuggle died in 1986 at just 25 years old.

Why Was John Tuggle Called Mr. Irrelevant?

“Mr. Irrelevant” is the nickname traditionally given to the final player selected in each NFL Draft, reflecting the assumption that the last pick has the smallest chance of making an impact in the league.Tuggle challenged that idea after being selected by the Giants, making the team and becoming part of its roster rather than disappearing after draft day. His determination both on and off the field forms the basis of the new film.

What Is Mr. Irrelevant About?

The official synopsis reads: “Mr. Irrelevant is the inspiring true story of John Tuggle (David Corenswet), the last player selected in the last round of the 1983 NFL draft by the New York Giants. A true underdog, Tuggle defied expectations on the field and off for his then first-year head coach, Bill Parcells (Michael Shannon), his newfound love (Isabel May), and his team, proving that remarkable hope and perseverance can transcend even the greatest challenges.”

Who Stars in Mr. Irrelevant?

David Corenswet leads the film as John Tuggle, following his turn as Superman, while Michael Shannon plays New York Giants coach Bill Parcells and Isabel May stars as Tuggle’s love interest. The cast also includes David Krumholtz, Tuwaine Barrett, Thaddeus LaGrone, Alexander England, Spencer House and Tandi Wright.

Jonathan Levine, whose credits include Warm Bodies, directs from a screenplay by Nick Santora. Paramount Pictures and Skydance Sports are behind the film in association with Domain Entertainment.

When Is Mr. Irrelevant Released in the UK?

Mr. Irrelevant is scheduled to arrive in US cinemas on 25 December 2026, followed by its UK cinema release on 1 January 2027. That means UK audiences will not have long to wait after its Christmas Day US debut to see Corenswet take on Tuggle’s story.

Watch the Mr. Irrelevant Trailer

The first trailer gives a much better idea of the balance between the football story and the more emotional parts of Tuggle’s life, with Corenswet at the centre of the film as he goes from the final pick of the draft to proving why he deserves his place on the team.

For CultureCues, we had never heard John Tuggle’s story before this trailer, but we definitely want to know more now. David Corenswet looks great in the role, and pairing him with Michael Shannon and Isabel May gives the film a strong cast around him. The underdog football story is already enough to get us interested, but knowing where Tuggle’s life eventually went makes this look like it could be a pretty emotional watch too. We will be taking tissues into this one.

Mr. Irrelevant arrives in UK cinemas on 1 January 2027.

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