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Saturday, December 10, 2011

Hardball Talk: Harrison Ford to play Branch Rickey in Jackie Robinson biopic

According to Spencer Fordin of MLB.com, Legendary Pictures announced yesterday that Harrison Ford will play Hall of Fame Dodgers’ executive Branch Rickey in a biopic about Jackie Robinson.

Many prominent actors have been mentioned for the role of Rickey over the years, including Robert Redford this past April, but Ford was apparently their top choice. His work in “Cowboys and Aliens” probably put him over the top.

As for Robinson, he’ll be played by the relatively unknown Chadwick Boseman. The 27-year-old has appeared in television shows such as “Lincoln Heights” and NBC’s “Persons Unknown.”

The film, which is appropriated titled “42,” is being written and directed by Brian Helgeland of “L.A. Confidential” and “Mystic River” renown.

Shia LaBeouf will play Branch Rickey’s son who takes over the movie for no reason.

Tripon Posted: December 10, 2011 at 08:41 PM | 110 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: business, dodgers, history, media, mets, negro leagues, special topics, television, yankees

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101. Javy Joan Baez (chris h.) Posted: December 12, 2011 at 08:26 PM (#4014291)

Yeah I have a hard time thinking of Amadeus as a biopic. I sort of expect biopics to be at least somewhat non-fictional.

102. Pasta-diving Jeter (jmac66) Posted: December 12, 2011 at 09:31 PM (#4014368)

Yeah I have a hard time thinking of Amadeus as a biopic

it had too many lines

103. Javy Joan Baez (chris h.) Posted: December 12, 2011 at 09:35 PM (#4014372)

it had too many lines

Bazinga.

104. Misirlou cut his hair and moved to Rome Posted: December 12, 2011 at 09:41 PM (#4014379)

It's like saying that, say, Aguirre: The Wrath of God is a biopic.

You mean it's not about the former DePaul hoops star?

105. Brian C Posted: December 12, 2011 at 10:19 PM (#4014429)

You mean it's not about the former DePaul hoops star?

It is, but totally fictionalized. The guy playing him was some crazy German!

106. You Know Nothing JT Snow (YR) Posted: December 12, 2011 at 10:27 PM (#4014439)

You mean it's not about the former DePaul hoops star?

No, but I think this commercial deserved to be made into a movie.

107. Misirlou cut his hair and moved to Rome Posted: December 13, 2011 at 12:33 AM (#4014567)

My favorite biopics:

Dr. Zhivago
Forrest Gump
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Citizen Kane
Born on the 4th of July

108. Lassus Posted: December 13, 2011 at 12:44 AM (#4014578)

Alexander Nevsky

Prokofiev's soundtrack really puts John Williams into perspective. And I think Williams is a truly excellent composer, but....

Is Amadeus even a biopic?

As you say, hell no.

109. Morty Causa Posted: December 13, 2011 at 12:51 AM (#4014586)

Young Winson has flair, like its hero.

110. Tippecanoe Posted: December 13, 2011 at 01:12 AM (#4014619)

I like Harrison Ford in many of his roles, but I'm having trouble envisioning him as Branch Rickey. Rickey should be sharp and articulate; Ford is best when he's mute and in action -- bullwhipping cobras, going over dams, staring at Kelly McGillis' breasts, being frozen in carbonite. That kind of thing.

Maybe I have no vision for casting.

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Saturday, December 10, 2011

Hardball Talk: Harrison Ford to play Branch Rickey in Jackie Robinson biopic

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