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Right on the heels of the announcement that Robert De Niro was ready for another MIDNIGHT RUN movie, it was announced today at RiskyBusiness that he’s also now signed on to portray Vince Lombardi (famous coach of the Green Bay Packers) in a biopic being developed by ESPN Films, Andell Entertainment, and the NFL. The movie will appropriately be called LOMBARDI, and is being written by Eric Roth (FORREST GUMP). The story is said to revolve around the years where Lombardi redefined the team into five-time champions between 1959-67. Reports indicate that 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 Productions 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.
This could be a great fit for De Niro. I love the guy, but lately his films have been a little lackluster, and despite having another MEET THE PARENTS sequel on the way, I’m anxious to see the guy return to serious epic roles, and this could be just what the doctor ordered – playing Vince Lombardi could be a return to the RAGING BULL style of De Niro we’ve been missing for a while. Sound good to you? Tell us in the comments below.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
