Blair Underwood and Ashton James star as a father-son duo facing high stakes on the ice in the highly anticipated sports drama Youngblood, a modern reimagining of the 1986 classic of the same name. PEOPLE has an exclusive first look at the trailer for the Hubert Davis-directed film, which is set to hit theaters on March 6, 2026.

Plot and Key Characters

In Youngblood, Ashton James stars as Dean Youngblood, a rising hockey talent striving to make his mark in the competitive world of sports. Blair Underwood plays Dean’s father, offering guidance, wisdom, and the tough love every young athlete needs.

“You worked too long and hard for you to let anybody take this from you,” Underwood’s character tells his son in the trailer.

Shawn Doyle appears as Dean’s coach, delivering motivational lines such as:

“If you’re gonna lose, you lose to the best team! Don’t lose to yourself!”

The film explores the dynamics of family, masculinity, and ambition, while paying homage to the original 1986 Youngblood movie starring Rob Lowe, Cynthia Gibb, and Patrick Swayze.

Director Hubert Davis on the Reimagining

Director Hubert Davis shared with PEOPLE that he wanted to update the film for modern audiences:

“What drew me to the script was the idea of inverting some of the tropes in a lot of ’80s movies I grew up with. I was really interested in exploring that dynamic and ideas of masculinity and sport.”

Davis emphasizes that while the film honors the spirit of the original, it also brings fresh energy and modern perspectives, making it accessible to both longtime fans and newcomers.

Ashton James: Dedication on and off the Ice

Canadian actor Ashton James, who previously starred in Boxcutter (2024), underwent two years of rigorous hockey training to prepare for the role, a commitment that impressed director Davis.

“I really wanted the hockey scenes in the movie to stand out, so we spent a lot of time working on those sequences to get them right,” Davis said. “I hope audiences enjoy the hockey action, but also engage with the characters — because those are the films I love.”

James reflected on stepping onto the set of Youngblood as a full-circle moment, honoring the legacy of co-writer and late filmmaker Charles Officer, a former professional hockey player who passed away in 2023.

Supporting Cast and Production

Alongside Underwood and James, Youngblood features a talented ensemble including Alexandra McDonald, Henri Picard, Emidio Lopes, Olunike Adelyi, Tamara Podemski, Keris Hope Hill, Donald MacLean Jr., Joris Jarsky, and Allan Hawco.

“At its core, it’s a story about a father and a son,” said Hubert Davis. “We really needed an actor of Blair’s caliber to ground the story with a great performance, and he delivered.”

The screenplay was co-written by Josh Epstein, Kyle Rideout, Seneca Aaron, and Charles Officer. Davis praised Officer’s contribution, noting the late filmmaker’s unique perspective as both a writer and professional hockey player.

Release and Expectations

After premiering at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, Youngblood is scheduled for a wide theatrical release on March 6, 2026, promising a mix of adrenaline-fueled hockey action and heartfelt family drama. Fans of sports films, ’80s classics, and character-driven stories are encouraged to see it on the biggest screen possible, according to Ashton James.