Robert De Niro to play Vince Lombardi in ESPN film

By Jay A. Fernandez
From http://riskybusiness.blogs.thr.com/

Robert De Niro is running to daylight.

The actor has become attached to play legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi in a biopic being developed by ESPN Films, Andell Entertainment and the NFL. Titled “Lombardi,” the project is being penned by “Forrest Gump” writer Eric Roth.

The film will focus on the years that Lombardi rebuilt the Packers into a gridiron powerhouse, and five-time champions, between 1959-67. The producers plan to release the film in late January 2012, between the AFC and NFC conference championship games and the Super Bowl.

De Niro and Jane Rosenthal’s Tribeca Prods. is producing along with ESPN Films, Andell, the NFL and Chris Olsen.

“There are few actors who could accurately portray the fire, passion and grit of Lombardi, and we’re thrilled to have Robert De Niro on our team,” said NFL vp programming Charles Coplin. “With the addition of De Niro, Eric and Tribeca Prods., we have a deep bench to produce a film worthy of the legendary coach and American icon.”

ESPN and Andell acquired life rights to Lombardi’s story from his estate and son Vincent Lombardi Jr., as well as the rights to the 1968 book “Instant Replay,” written by Dick Schaap and former Packer Jerry Kramer, who was a right guard and placekicker throughout Lombardi’s tenure.

“We’ve had an extraordinary relationship with ESPN for five years through the Tribeca Film Festival, and now we’re able to extend that association into production,” Rosenthal said.

CAA, which reps De Niro, Roth and Rosenthal, collaborates with ESPN Films on film projects. De Niro, also repped by manager Rick Yorn, has “Machete” (April), “Stone” (May) and the untitled “Meet the Fockers” sequel (December) scheduled for release this year.

Roth, who recently wrote “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” also penned the screenplay for De Niro’s 2006 drama “The Good Shepherd.”