Who better to portray one of the greatest football coaches of all-time than an Academy Award-winning actor?
Robert De Niro will star as coach Vince Lombardi in the upcoming ESPN Films production Lombardi.
Also on board is Eric Roth, an Academy Award-winning screenwriter whose most notable works include Forrest Gump, Ali, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
The film will tell the story of Lombardi’s years with the Green Bay Packers, during which he turned the worst team in the NFL into five-time champions, starting with his first job as head coach in 1959.
The film is set to be released between the Conference Championships and the Super Bowl in 2012.
De Niro’s presence on the set is very anticipated and many feel he is the perfect fit for the role.
“Having and icon portray an icon on film is amazing,” said Ron Semjao, Senior Vice President of ESPN Films. “And with a writer as talented as Eric working on the script, the results could be magical for NFL fans.”
Added Charles Coplin, NFL’s Vice President of Programming: "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.”
