Caleb McLaughlin of 'Stranger Things' helps bring story of LeBron James to Peacock

The challenge for Caleb McLaughlin in portraying Dru Joyce III in the Peacock film “Shooting Stars,” the story of St. Vincent-St. Mary’s Fab Five, didn’t come from learning lines or shooting the basketball scenes.

It came in depicting the bond that’s endured across decades that LeBron James (Marquis Cook) shares still with Sian Cotton (Khalil Everage), Joyce, Romeo Travis (Sterling “Scoot” Henderson) and Willie McGee (Avery S. Wills).

“I've never experienced his family dynamic or even his friendship dynamic,” he said during a phone call from Southern California. “I would say that was the most challenging thing just to even understand is where [Dru] would be, to put myself in his shoes.”

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Caleb McLaughlin finds challenge in portraying Dru Joyce III

That’s not as odd an answer as it may seem at first glance. Though marketed as a film about James’ years at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, for much of its runtime it is an ensemble piece not a one-man show. Director Chris Robinson puts the friendship of the Fab Five front and center. They played together to win three Ohio state high school basketball championships (2000, 2001 and 2003) and a USA Today national title (2003).

Most of the group had known each other since elementary school in Akron, and it has been consistent friendship.

Even at his age, 21, McLaughlin can sense that it’s something different.

“I have a lot of friends, but throughout the years I've gained friends,” he said. “But he's been friends with these guys from when they were in elementary school till now, it's so rare to still be tight knit with your friends that you grew up with in the school and y'all are still kicking it and going on vacation till this day. It happens that a lot of people lose friends throughout the years.”

Caleb McLaughlin attracted to Dru Joyce III's aspect of the STVM story

The ties that bind the group were on display as they all gathered in Los Angeles to celebrate James’ milestone achievement of breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record in February.

That in itself taught McLaughlin something about James’ origins. He came into the film a veteran of having worked with director Chris Robinson in “The New Edition Story,” a BET mini-series, knowing it was about James' legacy. However, a good deal of the movie is told from Joyce III’s perspective and it’s about significantly more than wins, losses and championships at STVM.

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“And I wouldn't have turned that down 'cause LeBron is one of the greatest basketball players of all time,” he said. “But then learning the story and what it was about, it opened my eyes up to that basketball is more than a game. And learning about Dru and who he was as a person and his character on screen is just so inspiring in his story.”

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He spoke to Joyce III about his father, Dru Joyce II, basketball and, of course, the guys. But he wasn’t necessarily totally invested in James’ story. The circumstances surrounding how the Fab Four (later five) landed at STVM involved a decision by Joyce III. Before he decided to attend school at STVM, the Fab Four were expected to land at Buchtel High School. Backlash came when that happened, Dru Joyce II told the Beacon Journal recently.

“One thing I learned about him filming was that it wasn't about the accolades or if anyone was better than him or LeBron getting the shine. It was just about him believing in himself,” he said. “It didn't matter if the doubters were doubting. It didn't matter. It didn't matter if the doubters were hating or even the people that were supporting him loved what he was doing.”

Joyce III appreciated the way McLaughlin worked.

“I've never been through this process before, and he reached out to me. I remember us talking for hours, just about the movie, the direction it was going, the narrative of the story,” Joyce III said at the recent local premiere of the film. “He had questions about certain parts, so it was amazing to see him and how talented he is and good at what he does, how he puts in the work.

“It's always cool to see someone in another profession, what their work ethic is, and there's a reason why he's successful now. There's a reason why he's been great in roles. I can see it.”

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Caleb McLaughlin confident in career

It could be because McLaughlin has been working as an actor for more than a decade on screen and on the stage, having played Young Simba on Broadway in “The Lion King.” For now, however, he’s best known as Lucas Sinclair. Since 2016 he’s been part of the Netflix series “Stranger Things,” which has grown into a phenomenon over the years.

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“He's such a complex character. Definitely one of my favorite characters I've ever played will be definitely top five,” he said of Sinclair, “and I, with the opportunity of being in ‘Stranger Things,’ I've been able to travel the world, meet different people, meet some of my idols, and being put into spaces like this and having opportunities to audition for 'Shooting Stars' and playing iconic characters.”

There is a danger, though, in having such a prominent role so early in a career. It’s easy to be pigeonholed. In that regard, he shows the confidence he imbues his portrayal of Joyce III. He’s emphatic when he states it won’t be the only role for which he’s remembered.

“I believe, this is only the beginning of what God has in store in my career,” he said. “I feel like that's just a platform of showing me how great it could get; you know what I mean?”

Beacon Journal sportswriter Nate Ulrich contributed to this report.

George M. Thomas dabbles in movies and television for the Beacon Journal.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Caleb McLaughlin sees the bonds that tie in Peacock's 'Shooting Stars'