The Fox Family Channel (FFC) is planning to shoot a
made-for-TV movie about the "life and times of Michael
Jordan," according to John Dempsey of DAILY VARIETY. Saban
Entertainment will produce the film, to be called "Michael
Jordan: The Untold Story of an American Hero." Lance
Robbins, Saban President of TV Movies & Series, said the
movie "will get a broadcast-level budget of about" $3M, and
that he "hopes" it will air on FFC "before the year is out."
Robbins said that writer Michael Murray has worked on the
script for the past eight months, but that FFC "has not
sought Jordan's authorization" for the project. Robbins
hopes that the movie "will be a drawing card for [FFC], and
drive people to the network that might not otherwise be
inclined to watch it" (DAILY VARIETY, 6/17). Robbins said
that the lead role "will likely" be played by an unknown
actor. Although people close to Jordan "have been reluctant
to cooperate" with biographers so far, Robbins said that
they "are becoming more open now that Jordan seems to be on
the verge of retiring" (Jonathan Davies, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER,
6/17). FFC is the new incarnation of the Family Channel,
and launches August 15 (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/17).
WHAT, NO "HOOSIERS"? Two sports-themed movies were
included among the American Film Institute's "100 Years, 100
Movies" special which aired on CBS last night. "Raging
Bull," directed by Martin Scorsese, was No. 24, and "Rocky,"
directed by John Avildsen, was ranked No. 78 (CBS, 6/16).
