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Robert Redford's Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson Film Returns

by Ethan Anderton
April 6, 2011
Source: 24 Frames

Almost three years ago we heard that ESPN Films was going to work with Robert Redford on a long-gestating project surrounding famed Brooklyn Dodgers second baseman Jackie Robinson. At the time, director Thomas Carter (Coach Carter) was going to be at the helm of the film with Redford playing the team's general manager Branch Rickey. Though Redford is still attached to star in the film, Mystic River and L.A. Confidential writer Brian Helgeland will step up to direct the film instead in addition to delivering an all-new script for the story which actually won't completely focus on Robinson's breaking of the color barrier in baseball.

Instead, Redford told 24 Frames the film will focus more on the relationship between Robinson and Rickey. Redford says, "No one really knows the Rickey part, the political maneuvers and the partnership they had to share. It's the story underneath the story you thought you knew." Apparently scholars and experts believe Rickey integrated baseball with Robinson for idealistic and economic reasons. It certainly sounds like a great story from the history of America's pasttime that deserves to be told on the big screen. ESPN is no longer involved in the project, but Legendary Films is now behind the project, so I think it's in good hands to get off the ground. What do you think?

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