Steph Curry’s Inspiring Story Behind New Animated Movie, Goat
- Sony Pictures Animation is continuing its streak of ambitious animated projects, this time with a sports comedy called Goat, arriving in theaters on February 13, 2026.
- The story of Goat centers on Will, a small goat with big dreams of playing “roarball,” a fictional, physically demanding sport.
- Dillihay explained that the team consciously mirrored Will’s shooting form after Curry’s, but emphasized that the connection went far beyond physical imitation.
Sony Pictures Animation is continuing its streak of ambitious animated projects, this time with a sports comedy called Goat, arriving in theaters on . But this film has a unique ingredient: the direct involvement of NBA superstar Stephen Curry, not just as a voice actor, but also as a producer through his company, Unanimous Media.
How Curry’s Personal Journey Shaped Goat
The story of Goat centers on Will, a small goat with big dreams of playing “roarball,” a fictional, physically demanding sport. The premise – an underdog striving for acceptance in a world dominated by larger, more imposing competitors – resonated deeply with Curry, and ultimately became a core theme of the film. Directors Tyree Dillihay and Adam Rosette revealed that Curry’s own career trajectory served as a significant source of inspiration.
Steph has been an amazing partner. Number one, he’s arguably the greatest shooter of all time… we modeled Will’s shooting form after him and the way he plays, but that’s just the physicalization of the story. It’s more about [if] you’ve ever seen his documentary, Steph came out underestimated, unheralded, but ended up becoming literally the greatest that we’ve ever seen. I love what he writes on his shoes, ‘All things possible through God.’ That is real for Stephen’s story, and we’re glad to bring it to life.
Dillihay explained that the team consciously mirrored Will’s shooting form after Curry’s, but emphasized that the connection went far beyond physical imitation. The filmmakers were particularly struck by Curry’s documented journey – overcoming early doubts and a lack of high-profile recruitment to become one of basketball’s most celebrated players. The personal mantra Curry often writes on his shoes, “All things possible through God,” also became a thematic touchstone for the film.
Goat’s narrative echoes Curry’s own experience of being initially overlooked, a sentiment he himself acknowledged. “I relate to the entire story… being overlooked… just looking for an opportunity… finding your self-confidence… understanding that that’s good enough,” Curry told People. This personal connection extends to the film’s tagline, “smalls can ball,” a direct nod to Curry’s own success despite not fitting the traditional mold of an NBA superstar.
Beyond the Court: Curry’s Expanding Role in Entertainment
Curry’s involvement in Goat represents a growing trend: athletes leveraging their platforms to expand into entertainment. His company, Unanimous Media, is actively developing a slate of projects, and Goat marks his first major foray into animated features. He isn’t simply lending his name to the project; he’s deeply involved in shaping its message and tone.
In Goat, Curry voices Lenny Williamson, a giraffe and encouraging teammate. Rosette described Curry as “insanely coachable” during the voice acting process, readily embracing direction and delivering a comedic performance. Producer Michelle Raimo-Kouyate added that Curry approached the role with a remarkable work ethic, demonstrating a willingness to learn and refine his skills despite having limited prior experience in voice acting.
He is so game for everything. When we’re like, ‘Hey, your character, you’re going to play the tallest guy.’ He was like, ‘I’m gonna do what?’ We want to play you against character… He is so funny that we were able to just go, ‘OK, like we want you to be a comedic engine in this thing and be you’. It’s kind of unfair. He’s one of the greatest of all time, he’s an NBA champion, he’s an Olympic gold winner, and he could do it all.
The voice cast also includes Caleb McLaughlin as Will the goat, Gabrielle Union as Jett Fillmore, a black panther and all-star roarball player, Nicola Coughlan as Olivia Burke, an ostrich, and Nick Kroll as Modo Olachenko, a Komodo dragon. The film aims to capture the energy and culture of sports, incorporating elements like fashion, music, and slang that will resonate with younger audiences.
Curry’s vision for Goat extended beyond the narrative, encompassing a desire to authentically represent the world of sports within the animated format. “We included the accessories, the clothes, a dope soundtrack — the cultural references that everybody can laugh at and appreciate,” Curry explained. He envisions the film as a “timeless story” that will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come.
The release date, strategically positioned ahead of NBA All-Star Weekend, is designed to maximize visibility among basketball fans and families. Goat represents a unique blend of athletic inspiration and animated storytelling, and signals Curry’s growing ambition to leave his mark on the entertainment industry beyond the basketball court.