Film
Jul 5, 2011

JACKIE ROBINSON HEADS TO THE BIG SCREEN

Jackie Robinson is a baseball legend and thanks in part to his widow, Rachel, and Legendary Pictures, fans will once again get to delight in his story, this time on the big screen.  Jackie Robinson was always larger than life – he was the first black Major League baseball player when he joined the then Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. He was a major part of the  beginning of the end of segregation in baseball and now his place in both baseball history and American culture will live on.

Brian Helgeland (Robin Hood, Mystic River) will both write and direct and Rachel Robinson will serve as an advisor, ensuring the accuracy and richness of the story.  Robinson told Reuters she wanted to bring her husband’s story to the big screen,  “For years – back when Sydney Poitier could have played Jack.” She noted that his story was once prior put on film back in 1950 with Robinson playing himself, directed by Alfred E. Green, and starring close friend Ruby Dee as his wife.

Warner Brothers plans to release this version but no names have been attached yet to star nor has a release date been set. Legendary CEO Thomas Tull is producing with former Disney Chairman Dick Cook and Legendary’s Jon Jashni executive producing.

L.A. is now the home of the Dodgers and I’m sure this film will find a home here in the City of Angels.