Luke Wilson stops by Fort Worth for premiere of baseball film ‘You Gotta Believe’

Dallas native Luke Wilson was just one of the celebrities in Fort Worth on Thursday evening for the world premiere of “You Gotta Believe .”

The film, out today, is based on the true story of the 2002 Westside team that dedicated its season to a teammate’s dying father and subsequently reached the Little League World Series. Wilson plays Bobby Ratliff, the ailing father who underwent cancer treatment during the run and died the following year in 2003.

Wilson said he wasn’t familiar with the Fort Worth-centric story but made sure to go back and watch a few of the team’s previous games. He’s gotten to work in his home state a few times and says it’s always fun to be back in Cowtown.

“I’d come to the rodeo here, I’d go to the Amon Carter [Museum], I’d go to the Water Gardens, or Joe T. Garcia’s,” Wilson told the Star-Telegram. “To come here and get to live and work was really special.”

Wilson was joined at the downtown Fort Worth premiere by co-stars Greg Kinnear, Patrick Renna and several of the child actors who portrayed Fort Worth Little Leaguers.

Kinnear , who plays the team’s coach Jon Kelly, said the nature of this true story was beautiful yet tragic. The team rallied around Ratliff as he underwent cancer treatment and took his motto of “You gotta believe” to heart.

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It’s a story of perseverance, not only through Ratliff’s cancer battle but the team hanging on during a difficult time.

“There’s a spirit of optimism in [the film] in the midst of a really tough tragedy,” Kinnear said.

Fort Worth Little League story was ‘good, worthy cause’

This is the second Fort Worth-based sports movie in a row for “You Gotta Believe” director Ty Roberts , after making “12 Mighty Orphans” in 2021.

Roberts said he didn’t originally plan it that way. Instead, after “12 Mighty Orphans,” he moved to Argentina with his family to prep another project. While down south, Roberts got a call from two of his pals—screenwriter Lane Garrison and producer Houston Hill—who told him about the Ratliff story.

The project turned out to be too good to pass up.

“I love Fort Worth. I love the people there,” Roberts said. “[The story] resonated with me on that level as a father, and I thought it was a good, worthy cause to spend almost two years on.”

While “You Gotta Believe” is set in Fort Worth, a majority of the movie was filmed in Canada.

Roberts explained that this was for due to budgetary reasons and that Canada’s tax incentives ultimately swayed production. But Roberts and crew did film a few scenes in Fort Worth after the fact, including at the Stockyards.

“When you’re a scrappy little film where every dollar counts, I hate to say it, but you got to do what you got to do to tell the best story,” Roberts said.’

The grown up Westside team were at the red carpet, along with their younger onscreen counterparts.

Michael Cash , who plays Robert Ratliff, the team’s first baseman and Bobby Ratliff’s son, said he was excited to catch up with his castmates and meet the real-life team. Getting to watch his first-ever starring role in a film was also a plus.

“I hope people leave the theater feeling uplifted,” Cash said. “Always remember you gotta believe.”

Robert Ratliff himself was at the premiere, with plenty of family and friends in tow.

Ratliff said being there was a humbling experience, and he’s just thankful to see the story brought to the screen. Being able to tell his father’s story while also spreading an inspiring message is all Ratliff could ask for.

“It’s just so great to have everybody here and let them celebrate how hard they’ve worked,” Ratliff said. “Thankful for the opportunity.”

“You Gotta Believe” releases in theaters nationwide on Friday.