Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw stars in his own movie, which is coming to cinemas this week.

Richie McCaw has had a rugby career so epic they simply had to make a movie about it. So they did, and the trailer for it is playing in theatres right now, appropriately, as a lead-in to the new Star Wars movie.

McCaw, after all, knows all about conquering galaxies and overcoming the bad guys and though he's probably more Han Solo than Luke Skywalker in personality, he's certainly had the force with him throughout an incredible All Blacks career that's been out of this world.

So as the tributes, the celebrations and the adulation dies down following the legendary All Blacks captain's post-World Cup retirement, we've now got Richie McCaw, the movie, coming to a cinema near you next year.

SUPPLIED Richie McCaw, the movie, will be coming to all good theatres near you next year.

The "intimate" documentary, according to publicity from the production company, weaves McCaw's life story into his "final 365 days as an All Black, revealing the determination and mental toughness of an international sporting legend who still sees himself as an 'ordinary guy' from small town New Zealand".



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It features exclusive family archive and "unprecedented" access and, if the trailer was anything to go by we are in for some riveting insight.

"As a little fella I imagined running around chasing the ball with the All Black jersey on ... I was on a mission. I didn't want anything to get in the way of that," McCaw narrates via voiceover over images of him as a chubby youngster blowing out candles on a birthday cake, then running round the rugby fields of North Otago.

"The body will do what the mind says," McCaw tells us later.

"Pain is temporary, pride is permanent."

The film is produced by Augusto with investment from the New Zealand Film Commission, Woodward Trust and the New Zealand Government's Screen Production Grant with financing from Kiwibank. It's title has yet to be revealed and has been in production, "under the radar", for the past 14 months.

McCaw, the most capped rugby player of all time, said: "I was an ordinary kid who loved playing the game of rugby and had the dream of becoming an All Black. I've surprised myself with what's possible if you want something badly enough. I've learned a heck of a lot along the way.

"I've never been big on talking about myself but I hope that by sharing my story, people might be able to find something in it to help them achieve what they really want to."

Added directors Michelle Walshe and Justin Pemberton: "Being alongside Richie for the past year has been an incredible journey and we are excited to be able to bring his remarkable story to life on the big screen. His story transcends sport and shows us much about the power of determination and mastering the potential of the human mind."

Bigger than Star Wars? You be the judge. But after 148 tests, 111 of them as captain, and 131 victories, including back to back World Cups, McCaw's story from a galaxy not so far away is one sure to have Kiwi audiences suitably enthralled.