What’s Real & What’s Not

Summary

• Not based on true events, but The Peanut Butter Falcon draws heavily from Zack Gottsagen’s real-life experiences.
• The movie was inspired by Gottsagen’s dreams and talents, showcasing the struggles and victories of individuals like him.
• The Peanut Butter Falcon was a hit in 2019, standing out with its feel-good story and commercial success.

2019’s The Peanut Butter Falcon is an inspirational film about a man with Down syndrome and the friends who help him actualize his dreams, raising questions about its real-life inspirations. The Peanut Butter Falcon centers around Zak (Zack Gottsagen), a young man with Down syndrome who runs away from his old life of constant care to realize his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. He’s joined by Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), who supports him in his journey, and the two form a bond.

As of May 2024,
The Peanut Butter Falcon
is streaming on Netflix.

Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz’s The Peanut Butter Falcon seems just a little too crazy not to be based on a true story, and one of the best things about the film is how inspirational and heartwarming the winding tale is. Biopic movies that nail historical accuracy are one thing, but films like CODA finally bring much-needed visibility to real-world people and their livelihoods, examining the unique struggles of everyday individuals. The story of The Peanut Butter Falcon has a fascinating and very particular origin.

Is The Peanut Butter Falcon Based On A True Story?

The Peanut Butter Falcon’s Story Is Inspired By Lead Actor Zack Gottsagen’s Life Experiences

While The Peanut Butter Falcon isn’t technically based on a true story, the experiences that Zak goes through are very factual. The story of The Peanut Butter Falcon, which in the movie is the wrestling persona Zak adopts, has been made up by writer-directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz, but it’s rooted in reality thanks to the character of Zak. The character was actually built around actor Zack Gottsagen, who himself has Down syndrome, with the story drawing heavily from his own personality and experiences.

Actors and actresses with Down syndrome are starting to get more representation within the industry, with performers like Kiki May in Ted Lasso, Edward Barbanell, Jamie Brewer, and Zack Gottsagen, who gives an incredible performance as Zak. So, whileThe Peanut Butter Falcon’s story isn’t based on actual events,the character of Zak is entirely Zack Gottsagen’s creation based on his own life experiences, interests, and inspirations.

The Inspiration Behind The Peanut Butter Falcon Explained

Zack Gottsagen’s Good Nature And Big Aspirations Became The Peanut Butter Falcon’s Inspiration

As detailed in The Peanut Butter Falcon featurette [via YouTube], the directors met Gottsagen at a camp years prior to filming, where he told them he dreamed of being an actor. They were initially realistic about his chances, explaining that there aren’t many opportunities for actors with Down syndrome. Gottsagen then asked them to make a film for him, and they agreed, wanting to build a movie around him to provide the same opportunities afforded to other actors.

In an important way,
The Peanut Butter Falcon
is based on a true story, one of Zack Gottsagen’s own.

Since such success stories are few and far between, studios wanted them to cast a bigger name. Instead, The Peanut Butter Falcon creators shot test footage with Zak to prove that he could do it and sent that video out to the people who’d become fellow cast and crew members who wanted to work with him. In an important way, The Peanut Butter Falcon is based on a true story, one of Zack Gottsagen’s own.

In order to build Peanut Butter Falcon into a true story, Nilson and Schwartz decided to explore Gottsagen’s interests. These turned out to include wrestling, swimming, and going to parties. They then wrote a film based on those things. His co-stars all discuss how open, honest, and purely good he is (especially Dakota Johnson and Shia LaBeouf). The actor’s real-life attributes then made it into the character of Zak in The Peanut Butter Falcon. Likewise, his rebellious spirit shines through, as does his ability to get along with people.

Gottsagen first started studying acting when he was just three years old. He had always dreamed of being a movie star, even working in a local cinema. The camp the directors met him at was Zeno Mountain Farm, a Los Angeles-based organization that hosts camps for artists and adventurers, and Gottsagen was attending an acting workshop there. Therefore, whether ThePeanut Butter Falcon is based on a true story is somewhat up in the air.

Though Zack didn’t dream of becoming a WWE-style wrestler, he is someone who had a dream his whole life and managed to realize it

Even though The Peanut Butter Falcon story isn’t based on true events, it’s quite clear that Nilson and Schwartz took a lot of inspiration from Gottsagen’s life. Though Zack didn’t dream of becoming a WWE-style wrestler, he is someone who had a dream his whole life and managed to realize it despite the odds, thanks to his own talent and help from friends made along the way. The Peanut Butter Falcon might switch acting for wrestling and add in Shia LaBeouf, but that central idea remains true to Gottsagen’s life.

How The Peanut Butter Falcon Became A Hit

The Peanut Butter Falcon Was 2019’s Highest-Grossing Independent Movie

In 2019, a year that saw Avengers: End Game, one of the highest-grossing movies ever, hit the theaters, The Peanut Butter Falcon managed to become a hit of its own. In an era dominated by superhero movies, The Peanut Butter Falcon stood out by offering a compelling, unique, feel-good story that anyone could enjoy. The movie grossed $23 million worldwide on its $6.2 million budget, becoming a small but effective commercial success.

The Peanut Butter Falcon’s raving reviews were one of the reasons for its success, with a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a decent 7.6/10 on IMDb. Shia LaBeouf and Dakota Johnson brought some star power to the mix, contributing to the movie’s commercial appeal. The Peanut Butter Falcon may not have made $1 billion, but it was the highest-grossing independent film of 2019.