The screenplay was written by Robert Ramsey and Matthew Stone ("Intolerable Cruelty") from an original story by John J. McLaughlin and Scott Lobdell. Steven Reuther ("Pretty Woman," "Under Siege," "Face/Off"), Revolution Studios Partner Todd Garner and Allyn Stewart ("I Dreamed of Africa," "Madeline") are producing, with Jones and Marty Ewing ("My Dog Skip," "Ladder 49") serving as executive producers.
In the story, laced with both comedy and action, Jones plays a hard-edged Texas Ranger who goes undercover as an assistant cheerleading coach to protect five University of Texas cheerleaders after they've witnessed the murder of a federal informant.
"We are delighted to be working with such a talented group of actors and filmmakers on this hilarious film," said Revolution Studios' Garner. "We're also excited to be re-teaming with Tommy Lee Jones, who we recently worked with on Ron Howard and Brian Grazer's new film "The Missing." His range and ability to transition between drama and comedy is remarkable."
"This is my first film with Revolution Studios, my second with director Stephen Herek and my fifth with Tommy Lee Jones," said producer Steven Reuther. "I feel as though I could not possibly be in better company."
Jones, who portrays Texas Ranger Roland Sharp, won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for his role in "The Fugitive." He was also nominated for an Oscar for his role in Oliver Stone's "JFK" and won an Emmy Award for his gripping performance in "The Executioner's Song." He will next be seen in the suspense thriller "The Missing" from the Academy Award-winning team of Ron Howard and Brian Grazer. His other credits include "Men in Black" and its 2002 sequel "Men in Black II," "The Hunted," "Space Cowboys," "Double Jeopardy," "Batman Forever," "Cobb" and "Natural Born Killers."
Anne Archer, who plays Jones' love interest, college professor Molly McCarthy, was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in Adrian Lyne's 1987 thriller, "Fatal Attraction." She also won a Golden Globe Award for her ensemble work in Robert Altman's "Short Cuts." Her other credits include "Clear and Present Danger," "Patriot Games," "Narrow Margin" and, with Tommy Lee Jones, "Rules of Engagement."
"Cheer Up" co-stars Brian Van Holt ("S.W.A.T," "Basic," "Black Hawk Down") as FBI Agent Eddie Zane; Paget Brewster (FOX-TVs "Andy Richter Controls the Universe") as cheerleading coach Binky Beauregard; Shea Whigham ("Tigerland") as rookie Ranger Holt; and Shannon Marie Woodward (FOX-TV's "Grounded for Life") as Jones' daughter Margot.
Starring as the five UT cheerleaders alongside Jones' tough-guy lawman are Monica Keena ("Freddy vs. Jason," "Orange County," WB's "Dawson's Creek") as Evie, the brainiac; Kelli Garner ("Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," "Bully," Scorsese's "The Aviator") as Barb, the flirt; Christina Milian ("Torque") as Anne, the group's queen bee; Paula Garces ("Marci X," "Clockstoppers") as the sassy Teresa; and Vanessa Ferlito ("25th Hour," HBO's "Undefeated") as Heather, the cynical smart aleck of the gang.
During a career in which his films have amassed more than $1 billion at the global boxoffice, Stephen Herek has directed such popular motion pictures as "101 Dalmatians," "Mr. Holland's Opus," "The Mighty Ducks," "The Three Musketeers" and "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure." The Texas native is a graduate of the University of Texas (where much of the filming will take place), and launched his career under the tutelage of legendary filmmaker Roger Corman.
