MLB Rangers CF JOSH HAMILTON has "entrusted his rights to producer BASIL IWANYK and Thunder Road Pictures to be shopped for a feature that will be written and directed by CASEY AFFLECK," according to Mike Fleming of DEADLINE HOLLYWOOD. Iwanyk has "partnered with KEVIN WALSH and The Walsh Company on the film, which he and Affleck will pitch to [Hollywood] shortly." Thunder Road's KENT KUBENA will be executive producer. Hamilton and his wife KATIE will "co-produce along with Hamilton's business manager STEVE REED." Iwanyk said, "I truly think this guy's story is one of the most inspiring stories I've ever read. It's also tailor-made for a movie: it has the mythic quality of 'The Natural,' the faith-based angle of 'The Blind Side,' and faith is a major part of our story, and the romance of 'Walk the Line'" (DEADLINE.com, 6/21). In Dallas, Christopher Kelly noted the film will "tell the story of Hamilton's descent into addiction, and subsequent recovery and triumph on the baseball field." There is "no word on how closely Hamilton will be involved in the film, or the financial terms of the deal" (DFW.com, 6/21).
BILLS GO HOLLYWOOD: DEADLINE HOLLYWOOD's Fleming noted Paramount Pictures has "acquired 'Draft Day,' a comic script by RAJIV JOSEPH and SCOTT ROTHMAN that has IVAN REITMAN attached to direct." The script "revolves around the general manager of the Buffalo Bills as he spends the day of the National Football League draft frantically trying to get the number one pick for his struggling team" (DEADLINE.com, 6/20).
