Ex-con Released Early From Prison Sentence to Star in Award-winning Wrestling Film
Pat Gleason Stars in "Fancypants", a Tale of Redemption for Gleason, and His Character Premiering in Chicago

CHICAGO, IL, August 11, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- After 15 years in prison, ex-con Pat Gleason stars in this year's award-winning "Fancypants" (www.FancypantsMovie.com). The movie's tale of redemption is also one for Gleason, who was released early from house arrest to play the role of "Leo the Blue Lion" in this heartwarming and inspiring movie. The film premieres in Chicago Thursday, September 29, 2011, 7:00 p.m. at AMC River East, 322 East Illinois Street.

(Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpl4qnyUezM)

The movie's unlikely star is ex-convict Patrick Gleason, a childhood friend of Jim Andre, Director of Photography on the Chicago-based Humble Pie Films original production of "Fancypants". He served 15 years in Illinois prisons for the attempted murder of a policeman and a bouncer outside a bar in the Chicago suburb of Stone Park in 1989. To prepare for the role, Gleason trained with the masked Mexican wrestling group Lucha Libre.

Gleason plays the role of "Leo the Blue Lion" a legendary professional wrestler who finds redemption in the faith of his last true fan, an 8-year old boy, played by Wilmette, IL resident, Jackson Dunn. The film is packed with between-the-rings action that leads to a climactic fight between "Leo" and his fiercest opponent yet.

"Fancypants" Stars Ex-Con

"Pat was a natural," said Producer Daniel Hanson. "When he first auditioned, he looked the part, exactly, and we were surprised he acted so well with no formal training. Leo was truly part of him. The two have a lot in common."

The "Best Feature" film at Sunscreen Film Festival, also stars iconic cult heroes wrestler "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Robert Carradine ("Revenge of the Nerds") and features performances by Richard Kind ("Mad About You" and "Spin City"), Nick Turturro ("NYPD Blues"), and former American Gladiator stars, Don "Hollywood" Yates (Wolf) and Beth Horn ("Venom").

"The movie is a comedy/drama with heart and a tale of redemption," says Hanson. "The character bashes heads in the rings but is afraid of old ladies in the supermarket."

Shot in Chicago, the film features historic landmarks such as the Congress Theater, Bohemian National Cemetery and Michael Reese Hospital.

Tickets for the Chicago Premiere of "Fancypants" go on 10:00 a.m. sale September 1, 2011 at http://fancypants.eventbrite.com with limited availability.

Press Release Contact Information:

Jennifer Fortney
Cascade Communications
President
2551 N. Marshfield, Ste. 2F
Chicago, Illinois
USA 60614
Voice: 773-529-7547