Rickey (Redford) and Jackie (??) now has ESPN's stamp
ESPN Films announced today it has a deal to co-produce the film that plans to tell the story of how Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson teammed up to break baseball’s color barrier in the late 1940s.
Robert Redford, who will produce the flick (currently untitled) with Tracy Falco, Howard and Karen Baldwin and Andrew Cohen, will play the part of Rickey, the Brooklyn Dodgers GM who brought Robinson in for The Great Experiment.
This is the first project of ESPN hooking up with Creative Artists Agency. ESPN will, according to its release, "lend its sports storytelling knowledge and expertise to the production."
Rachel Robinson, Jackie's widow, has approved the movie, as has Branch Rickey Jr. and MLB.
The news comes as the Dodgers prepare for Tuesday ceremonies at Dodger Stadium to commemorate the 61st anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier. All players will wear No. 42 again, actor Lou Gossett Jr. will emcee the night's event, Don Newcombe will throw ou tthe first pitch, and Nicolette Robinson will sing God Bless America. Nicolette Robinson is one of one of 11 Jackie Robinson Scholars who will be recognized during pregame ceremonies. The Dodgers are giving out Robinson No. 42 T-shirts out to kids Tuesday night as well.
Comments
ESPN will, according to its release, "lend its sports storytelling knowledge and expertise to the production."
More like, ESPN and its track record of cheesiness will set race relations back about 50 years...
Posted by: arealrascal2 | April 14, 2008 8:36 PM
A few years back, ESPN put a dead muskrat on Tom Sizemore's head and called him Pete Rose. Last year, the network put Dumbo ears on John Turturro and cast him as Billy Martin in "The Bronx is Burning." I won't be able stomach what they might attempt to do to the legacy of Jackie Robinson. Shame on Robert Redford for partnering up with amateurs.
Posted by: arealrascal2 | April 14, 2008 8:40 PM