Kobe Bryant's rise to fame is set to be the subject of a new sports biopic that is currently in the works at Warner Bros.
The late basketball legend tragically passed away in early 2020, but his legacy continues to this day as he is still highly regarded as one of the best NBA players of all time. Mamba Day was also held recently as part of the annual celebration that commemorates the life and legacy of Bryant and his inspiring "Mamba mentality" that has been adopted by aspiring athletes today.
What to Expect in the Kobe Bryant Biopic?
The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that a biopic centering on Kobe Bryant's journey to become a Los Angeles Lakers player is currently in the works at Warner Bros.
The film, which is currently titled With the 8th Pick, will follow "the high-stakes process that led to Bryant getting drafted into the NBA in 1996."
The project is said to "focus on the New Jersey Nets and then-general manager John Nash, who held the eighth pick in the draft and considered taking Bryant out of high school. The future Hall of Famer ended up being taken by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th pick before he was traded to the Lakers, where he would win five NBA championships and become an icon of the city."
Alex Sohn and Gavin Johannsen are writing the screenplay. No director is attached yet to the project, nor the actor who will play young Bryant. The producers behind King Richard and Tom Brady's production company are also involved.
The project is being described as having elements similar to iconic biopics such as Moneyball, The Social Network, and Air.
Is Kobe Bryant's Family Involved in the Biopic?
So far, there is no official word yet on whether Bryant's family is involved in the making of the biopic.
Vanessa Bryant, the late NBA legend's widow, has also not released any statement regarding her reaction to the project or whether she is interested in being consulted in the development of the script.
Last Saturday, she posted her tribute to Kobe and their late daughter Gigi on Instagram as she commemorated what would have been the 47th birthday of the late NBA player.
"We love and miss you and Gigi so much. Sending our love to you. Happy birthday, baby," she wrote.
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