Looks like Focus Features has another solid film idea to add to its slate, an adaptation of James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales’ book ESPN: Those Guys Have All the Fun, an account of the creation and rise of the worldwide leader in sports, ESPN. Not only are they adapting this into a feature but they’ve also secured director Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine, The Place Beyond the Pines) to helm the picture, a solid choice as long as the pace isn’t nearly as slow as his past two films.
Focus was able to secure the rights in a turnaround when Fox decided to pass on the film, which seems weird since it looks like a perfect Fox Searchlight title. Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti (The Social Network) will produce alongside Jamie Patricof and Lynette Howell, they are currently searching for a writer to adapt the book.
It had to happen eventually and seems like an awards caliber idea if done in the same vein as Moneyball and The Social Network. Both were excellent films and due to the love of sports and ESPN around this country and I’m sure in others, there will be a lot of interest in the project, I’d imagine, from every demographic.
If you’ve read the book does it seem like something that could work in feature form?
via The Wrap
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