The Rewatchables ‘Rollerball’ (1975) With Bill Simmons and Brian Koppelman
Aug 12, 2025
Join Bill Simmons and Brian Koppelman, screenwriter and co-creator of 'Billions,' as they dive into the dystopian world of the 1975 film 'Rollerball.' They explore the film's timeless themes of corporate control and individuality, connecting them to modern sports culture. The hosts reflect on nostalgic memories and the evolving cinematic landscape, dissecting character dynamics and emotional moments. With humor, they critique the film’s legacy and the challenges of its 2002 remake, pondering its relevance in today's society.
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Sport As Corporate Control
- Rollerball portrays a corporate autocracy that replaces nations with spectacle and control.
- The film frames sport as mass entertainment used to suppress individuality and political dissent.
First R-Rated Movie Memory
- Brian Koppelman first saw Rollerball as a child and got his dad to take him to an R-rated movie at age nine.
- The memory of that first viewing shaped his visceral, lifelong attachment to the film.
A Sports Movie That Is Also A Thriller
- The movie uniquely mixes sports spectacle with paranoid thriller and dystopian science fiction elements.
- That genre blend makes Rollerball resonate as both visceral entertainment and political allegory.
