The animated feature blends basketball culture with a story about confidence, leadership, and perseverance.
The cast and creative team behind GOAT gathered to discuss the animated film’s development, themes, and cultural influences during a recent press conference. Set in an all-animal world centered around “roar ball,” the film combines sports storytelling with a broader focus on identity, growth, and determination.
Producers Stephen Curry and Erick Peyton explained that the concept began as a sports movie set in a stylized universe but evolved into a character-driven story. Curry noted that elements of Will’s journey reflect his own experiences growing up in a basketball family while hearing repeated doubts about his physical limitations.
Stephen Curry said:
“All I heard was what I couldn’t do… I wasn’t big enough, I wasn’t fast enough… and being ready for when your moment is there is a lot of what I see in Will.”
Curry added that the film focuses not only on athletic performance but on preparation, resilience, and learning to focus on one’s own path rather than external comparisons.
Gabrielle Union, who voices Jet Fillmore, discussed portraying a character recognized for her athletic excellence while also navigating leadership and personal growth. She spoke about the importance of young audiences seeing different representations of greatness.
Gabrielle Union said:
“Young audiences leave that theater realizing that your dreams don’t have to match anyone else’s for them to be valid and real and worthwhile.”
Union emphasized that the film allows children to see ambition, confidence, and doubt coexisting within the same character.
Patton Oswalt, who voices Coach Dennis, described his character as someone working to guide a team with strong personalities while learning to adapt his leadership style.
Patton Oswalt said:
“Dennis is an authority figure with zero authority. No one is listening to him.”
Oswalt noted that Dennis ultimately learns to help players recognize their individual strengths rather than forcing them into a single approach.
Director Tyree Dillihay highlighted basketball culture as a central influence on the film’s visual identity, referencing its connection to music, fashion, art, and technology. Animation allowed the team to amplify those elements while maintaining focus on the emotional core of the story.
Tyree Dillihay said:
“Basketball culture is pop culture… music, fashion, art, tech… I just wanted to exaggerate it and turn the volume up to 11.”
Throughout the discussion, the cast and creators referenced personal experiences with setbacks, doubt, and perseverance. The film’s central message, they explained, is that greatness can take many forms and that confidence is developed through effort and persistence.
GOAT opens in theaters February 13.
Tags: goat, animated movie, press conference, family film, basketball movie
