Jonathan Majors in Talks to Play Dennis Rodman in New Basketball Movie
Plus there is news on ‘Now You See Me 3’ and director Robert Eggers has found his cast for horror movie ‘Nosferatu’.
(L) Jonathan Majors as Nat Love in 'The Hard They Fall.' Photo courtesy of Netflix @ 2021. (R) Legendary NBA player Dennis Rodman. Photo courtesy of the NBA's YouTube channel.
You can understand, then, that he’s a man in demand. And now he’s considering taking on a plum role as 48 Hours in Vegas’.
Jordan VanDina wrote a spec script based on the crazy story of how basketball star Rodman went on a madcap adventure with his skittish assistant General Manager in the middle of the 1998 NBA Finals. According to Deadline, “the film will detail a budding friendship that neither one of them ever thought was possible but will end up solving both of their problems.”
Though the story was covered comprehensively in Michael Jordan-Chicago Bulls documentary ‘The Last Dance’, VanDina wrote his script before the movie came out, and sounds like it could be a fun romp.
Lionsgate won the rights to the script, which also boasts the producing power of Chris Miller and their business partner Aditya Sood via their Lord Miller company.
No director is aboard yet, but with Majors close to a deal, we figure this one will be hitting the production court next year.
Elsewhere in the Lionsgate empire, Uncharted,’ is now locked in to oversee the new pic.
2013’s ‘Now You See Me’, directed by Isla Fisher), a group of magicians who pull off elaborate heists while being hunted by the authorities.
In 2016, Lizzy Caplan for more illusions and further run-ins with the law.
Little is known about the plot for the third (beyond that it’ll include magic tricks and probably elaborate schemes) but given that Fleischer also worked with Eisenberg and Harrelson on the two ‘Zombieland’ movies, we’d expect them to be back.
“There are three things in this world I absolutely love… Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson and magic,” says Fleischer. “To have the chance to work with these two talented actors, as well as rest of the incredible cast of the ‘Now You See Me' movies is a dream come true. I am a lifelong fan of heist movies – I love getting drawn in by the twists and the mystery where nothing is what it seems. And that’s even more true when the thieves are magicians – the opportunities are endless. Eric was able to unlock a fresh and exciting way into a new movie and fun new characters, so I’m excited to dig in even further.”
“Eric” is Eric Warren Singer, who wrote the original drafts of the movie, but Seth Grahame-Smith is now working on a new re-write.
(L to R) Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson, and Dave Franco in 2013's 'Now You See Me.'
Finally – and stepping outside of Lionsgate – there is news of ‘Robert Eggers’ next movie.
He’s been developing his own take on classic vampire tale ‘Nosferatu’ for Focus Features and has now locked down his leading duo.
Per Deadline’s report, in the new reimagining, ‘Nosferatu’ is a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman (Depp) in 19th century and the ancient Transylvanian vampire (Skarsgard) who stalks her, bringing untold horror with him.
This is one that Eggers has been trying to make for a while – its development pre-dates ‘The Northman’ and at one point he had Skarsgård, Harry Styles attached to star.
With Eggers writing and directing as usual, the movie should be shooting next year if the schedules line up. Time for Eggers to finally do some vamping…
(L to R) Alexander Skarsgard, Nicole Kidman, director Robert Eggers, Willem Dafoe, and Anya Taylor-Joy at the Los Angeles premiere of 'The Northman.'
