Redford to star in upcoming film about Branch Rickey & Jackie Robinson

[Steak Snabler]

Redford will play Rickey, obviously. Robinson role yet to be cast. Brian Helgeland, who did "L.A. Confidential" and "Mystic River," will write the script:

Redford's film will look less at the specifics of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier and more at the complex relationship between Rickey, who scholars believed integrated baseball for reasons of both idealism and economics, and Robinson, the second baseman who faced tremendous discrimination when he signed with the Dodgers system in 1945.

"No one really knows the Rickey part, the political maneuvers and the partnership they had to share," Redford said. "It's the story underneath the story you thought you knew."

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/04/robert-redford-branch-rickey-jackie-robinson-baseball-movie-biopic.html

Sounds interesting. As I've said before, Redford period pieces are usually outstanding (though the story linked does not say if he'll direct as well).

 

[shockey]

Sounds interesting. As I've said before, Redford period pieces are usually outstanding (though the story linked does not say if he'll direct as well).

highly doubtful. i don't believe he's ever been in the films he's directed.

 

[micropolitan guy]

Redford directed and starred in "The Horse Whisperer." I think that's the only movie in which he did double duty.

 

[slappy4428]

Can he get his eyebrows to do that thing?

 

[Steak Snabler]

He was also in "Lions for Lambs" and he narrated "A River Runs Through It."

 

[Steak Snabler]

Speaking of "Lions for Lambs," I wouldn't be surprised to see Derek Luke at least be considered for the Robinson role. He has a previous relationship with Redford and has played athletic roles before (Friday Night Lights, Glory Road).

I just hope whoever they pick can throw a baseball without looking like a 12-year-old girl ...

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Speaking of "Lions for Lambs," I wouldn't be surprised to see Derek Luke at least be considered for the Robinson role. He has a previous relationship with Redford and has played athletic roles before (Friday Night Lights, Glory Road).

I just hope whoever they pick can throw a baseball without looking like a 12-year-old girl ...

You mean Redford isn't playing Jackie?

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Redford directed and starred in "The Horse Whisperer." I think that's the only movie in which he did double duty.

And that movie absolutely sucked.