"The Making of Chasing Mavericks"

Chasing Mavericks, A bio pic about the life of Mavericks surfer Jay Moriarity started production in October, 2011.



The film stars Gerard Butler as Frosty Hesson, Abigail Spencer as Brenda Hesson, Frosty's wife. Jonny Weston as Jay Moriarty, Elizabeth Shue as Christy Moriarty, Jays Mother; Leven Rambin as Kim Moriarty, Jay's Wife. Maya Rains plays Roque Hesson daughter for Frosty and Brenda, Patrick and Asher Tesler (twins) portray Lake, son of Frosty and Brenda.

On December 19, 2011, film star Gerard Butler escaped a near death accident while filming the movie. He was pounded by a set of 12–16 foot waves at Mavericks. Butler was held underwater for several waves and dragged through rocks until rescued by a safety worker on a jetski. According to eyeforfilm.co.uk, "Butler was knocked off his board by a freak wave. He was trapped underwater as two more waves went over him, and witnesses say he took the force of four or five waves to the head. He was also dragged through rocks before rescuers managed to reach him and get him to the shore. Butler was conscious when pulled from the water and has spent the next sixteen hours in Stanford Medical Center. No statement has been made on his condition but he is believed to have sustained only minor injuries." Butler was standing, although shaken, before being taken by the ambulance.

Watch the trailer of Chasing Mavericks (HD): On Theaters October 26, 2012

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Chasing Mavericks Trailer: Gerard Butler Grumbles About Waves

Seemingly losing himself at his 8 Mile star's behest, Oscar-winning director Curtis Hanson has made only two features since 2002's Eminem vanity project, and it's unlikely anyone recalls those films nearly as fondly if at all compared to past Hanson works like L.A. Confidential or Wonder Boys. (In Her Shoes, with Cameron Diaz, Toni Collette, and Shirley MacLaine? The Eric Bana-Drew Barrymore poker drama Lucky You? Yeah, well, those happened.) His latest questionable attempt at making something memorable: Chasing Mavericks, an inspirational film that tells the true story of late surfer Jay Moriarity, here played by Jonny Weston and the hair of William Katt.

In the film, Moriarity stumbles upon Gerard Butler and friends surfing on "Mavericks"--a thought-mythical site with waves that crash with all the force of Sarah Palin's political career. The young surfer insists on riding the dangerous waves, but before he can do that, he's going to need some Miyagi-style training. And we all know there's only one growled, in-and-out-American accent that can offer that kind of sage surf advice.

Gerard Butler Rides Waves In 'Chasing Mavericks' Trailer Butler's seasoned pro teaches Jonny Weston's newcomer how to land the big waves in exclusive new sneak peek.

Are you ready to see the next great inspirational surfing movie? It's called "Chasing Mavericks," and it's based on the inspirational true story of surfing legend Jay Moriarity. And although the film won't be in theaters until October, MTV is here to help whet your appetite via our exclusive debut of the trailer.

The two-minute teaser opens with an introduction to our protagonist, young surfer/dreamer Jay Moriarity, who cuts class to watch a group of skilled surfers ride the massive waves at Mavericks, a legendary surf spot in Northern California. We watch Jay observe the more experienced riders with awe, and it is clear he wants to follow in their footsteps.

"Have you ever felt like you were meant for something more? Something bigger than you?" Moriarty, played by newcomer Jonny Weston, asks in a voice-over. We see Moriarty befriend one of the seasoned pros, played by Gerard Butler, and beg him to help teach the young Moriarty how to ride the "mythological" waves. Butler's character, Frosty Hesson, is reluctant to accept the instructor role, but the youngster's fighting spirit reminds him of himself, and so the two embark on a journey that will change both of their lives.

We see bits and pieces of the classic training montage: the student's clumsy first moves and falls, the grumpy instructor's discontent. One scene shows Moriarty trying to learn to hold his breath during a class at school and he passes out mid-lecture.

The final minute of the trailer shows us a glimpse of that one huge wave that they've been training for, along with more of Moriarty's emotional journey, the ups and downs, the good, bad and ugly, all set to the appropriately inspirational/pump-you-up track "The Fighter" by the Gym Class Heroes.

"Chasing Mavericks" also stars Elisabeth Shue, Leven Rambin ("The Hunger Games") and Abigail Spencer and opens in theaters October 26.

Chasing Mavericks on HD (Oct 26, 2012)

Chasing Mavericks Trailer From Trailerpulse

Based on the inspirational true story of surfing icon Jay Moriarty, “Chasing Mavericks” tells the story of a young man’s quest to surf Northern California’s most dangerous wave, and the local legend who takes him under his wing. What begins as a mentorship turns into a unique lifelong bond, as the two unlikely friends discover that there is nothing more powerful than pushing your limits and chasing a nearly impossible dream.

Who was Jay Moriarity?

Jay Moriarity (June 16, 1978–June 15, 2001) was a surfer from Santa Cruz, California. He was an accomplished surfer, waterman, and adventurer. As a surfer, he made his reputation surfing Mavericks in Half Moon Bay, California. At age 16, he was made internationally famous when his wipeout at Mavericks was caught on film and made the cover of Surfer (magazine). Four days later at Mavericks, on a smaller wave, legendary Hawaiian big wave surfer Mark Foo drowned. Although a successful competitor, Jay is remembered as a soul surfer, winning many sportsmanship awards throughout his career.

Life of Jay Moriarity

Born in Georgia in 1978, Moriarity and his family moved to Santa Cruz, California, soon after his birth. His father was Green Beret parachutist and a surfer, who introduced his son to surfing when he was 9 years-old. He immediately took to surfing and quickly became a respected surfer in Santa Cruz. Not limited to either a shortboard or a longboard, he was known as a versatile surfer who appreciated all aspects of surfing. This appreciation was rooted in an overall love for the ocean, seen in his accomplishments as a swimmer, paddler, diver, and fisherman. Achieving success in surfing as a youngster, he became increasingly interested in surfing Mavericks, north of Santa Cruz in Half Moon Bay.

After intense physical and mental training he began surfing Mavericks at 16 years of age, and soon became a respected regular in the line-up. He died on June 15, 2001, in the Indian Ocean off the coast of the island Lohifushi in the Maldives, drowning in an apparent diving accident. In Lohifushi for an O'Neill photo shoot, he went free-diving with members of the Brazilian crew but was not seen after. Details of his death are uncertain but he was reported to have gone farther down the buoy rope than the others, practicing his breath holding and meditating on the ocean floor 45 feet below the surface. His body was recovered later that evening on the surface near the dive site. In 2001, Moriarity co-authored a book with Chris Gallagher entitled, The Ultimate Guide to Surfing. A film, "Chasing Mavericks" directed by Curtis Hanson chronicling the life of Jay has an estimated release date of October 26, 2012. Jonny Weston will be playing the roll of Jay.

Chasing Mavericks Official Trailer On Theaters Oct. 26, 2012