Thrown into unfamiliar circumstances teenager Skylar Forest, traumatized by the recent death of her parents, finds purpose in life by learning about Will Rogers, embracing her Native American heritage and breaking down gender barriers, all on the way to a state baseball championship and ultimately discovering what drives her Will To Win.

PRODUCTION PREPARATIONS

As we move closer to production, the Will to Win team is finalizing key cast members beyond those who have already shown interest in major roles. With dozens of speaking parts and exciting cameos in the works, the casting process is a broad based effort. At the same time, producers are assembling a talented crew, prioritizing Indigenous and local Oklahoma professionals who will assist in making movie magic happen in the very place where Will Rogers was born, and where the boundaries of three of Oklahoma’s Indigenous Nations intersect.

LOCATION SPOTLIGHT - WILL ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL

Will to Win follows the inspiring journey of Skylar Forest, a teen who, after the tragic loss of her parents, moves to Oklahoma to live with her traditional Cherokee grandmother and start over at a new school—Will Rogers High. Though Skylar’s story is fictional, Will Rogers High School is very real, with a rich legacy of athletic achievement, academic excellence, and notable alumni. This stunning Art Deco landmark, completed in 1938 and named after Will Rogers, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Among its distinguished graduates are The Outsiders author S.E. Hinton, musician Leon Russell, pro football player Don Chandler, and many more.

Photo: Chuck Foxen

DID YOU KNOW?

Louis Sockalexis, known as the “Deerfoot of the Diamond,” was the first Native American to play in Major League Baseball. Born in 1871 on the Penobscot Indian Island Reservation in Maine, he showed remarkable talent from a young age, impressing many with his powerful throwing arm. In March 1897, he signed with the Cleveland Spiders and made his Major League debut just a month later. Despite facing relentless racism from opposing players, fans, and sportswriters, Sockalexis persevered, playing professional baseball for a decade. His impact on the sport was later recognized with his induction into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame (Society for American Baseball Research).

Like Sockalexis, Will to Win's Skylar Forest faces challenges as she fights to earn her place on the baseball field. Embracing her Cherokee heritage and overcoming obstacles in a male-dominated sport, Skylar’s journey echoes the perseverance and determination of trailblazers like Sockalexis, proving that true talent knows no barriers.

“We will never have true civilization until we have learned to recognize the rights of others.”

-Will Rogers

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