Bring It On!: The Complete Story of the Cheerleading Movie That Changed, Like, Everything (No, Seriously)

Bring It On, the 2000 teen comedy that generated six sequels, is “the greatest cheerleading film that was almost never made,” according to this peppy debut from journalist Wickman. Noting that Bring It On grossed more than $90 million worldwide, Wickman, a self-professed “unofficial historian” of the film, examines its enduring appeal and its celebration of the athleticism of cheerleading. She also shares plenty of behind-the-scenes details: screenwriter Jessica Bendinger pitched the movie 27 times before it was put into development, actor Marley Shelton was originally envisioned as Toros captain Torrance Shipman before Kirsten Dunst got the role, and Gabrielle Union auditioned for rival teen cheerleading movie Sugar & Spice but was put off by the script’s lack of diverse characters. Though Wickman succeeds in demonstrating that the film resonates with an audience that extends beyond cheerleaders and teen girls, she also conveys how it felt to see Bring It On for the first time when she was 12: “I firmly believe that the magnetic pull of Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union combined is more than any human can withstand.” Readers will revel in this nostalgic look at a pop culture phenomenon. (Dec.)