LeBron has reportedly already sold a movie pitch for a comedy, in which he is set to starNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Klutch Sports Group's RICH PAUL attempted to make clear that LEBRON JAMES signing with the Lakers was "just a basketball decision" and not based on furthering his ties to the entertainment industry. Paul joined NBA TV's coverage of Thursday's Grizzlies-Thunder Summer League game and said James' move was based on "what he wanted to do and what made him happy. He said people claim James' decision was "about movies and about this." Paul: "It's LeBron James. He's already a global entity, so it wasn't necessarily about that. Obviously, if that's what you're into and you're on that platform, it enhances it because everyone's there. But that wasn't part of the decision to go to the Lakers" ("Summer League," NBA TV, 7/12).
BACK TO THE SILVER SCREEN: VARIETY's Justin Kroll reported James, writer STEVE MALLORY and James' SpringHill Entertainment "have sold an untitled comedy pitch to Paramount Players" with James "in early talks to star." James would "produce with his SpringHill partner MAVERICK CARTER." This would "mark James' second big-screen role; he previously played himself in the JUDD APATOW comedy 'TRAINWRECK.'" James' company also "recently sold the spec 'HUSTLE' to Legendary Entertainment," with James producing along with JOE ROTH and JEFF KIRSCHENBAUM. That project allowed James to "become a member of the Producers Guild." James also is producing the New Line remake of "HOUSE PARTY" as well as an exec producer on the Netflix limited series 'ON HER OWN GROUND'" (VARIETY.com, 7/11). ESPN's David Jacoby said he was "alarmed" by the news about James looking to star in another move "given the timing." Jacoby: "Can you imagine that just a week or two after he announces he's going to L.A. that they now leak reports that he is pitching a movie that he is starring in?" ESPN's Ryan Hollins said, "You knew this was coming. This isn't a leak, this isn't an accident." Jacoby: "Why not wait for this information to come out later? It just seems like the second you move to L.A., all of a sudden you're going to be a movie star? Come on, LeBron" ("Jalen & Jacoby," ESPN2, 7/12).
GET READY FOR MORE OF THIS: In N.Y., Jake Nisse noted James on Wednesday "dined with LEONARDO DICAPRIO and AL PACINO" (NYPOST.com, 7/12). ESPN's Pablo Torre said DiCaprio and Pacino are "probably just really geeked to meet LeBron James." ESPN's Bomani Jones said, "He lives in L.A. now. Those are the people to hang out with." Jones: "This is going to be a thing, because he can be in movies. Al Pacino does want to hang out with him" ("High Noon," ESPN2, 7/12).
