There is some breaking news tonight in the world of baseball films in that the obligatory Josh Hamilton movie will indeed be happening. The rights have been acquired by producer Basil Iwanyk and Thunder Road Pictures with the expressed intent to have Casey Affleck direct and write the feature film. Casey is of course the brother to Ben Affleck, but he has yet to replicate Ben’s success in the director’s chair as Casey’s only real full-length credit is the Joaquin Phoenix documentary I’m Still Here.
For those unfamiliar with the ball player, he currently ranks as one of the top hitters in all of professional baseball, but his career numbers are somewhat deflated thanks in part to drug abuse which landed the Rangers’ outfielder out of baseball for years. It was not until the Home Run Derby four years ago that Hamilton’s comeback gained national attention when the power slugger launched a record-breaking 28 homers in a single round and received a standing ovation from Yankees Stadium in the process.
Look for more on this movie soon, and considering the material expect casting to be top notch.
[Deadline]