If anything, the success of "Moneyball" last year has certainly brought about the revitalization of baseball-centered dramas. There's been no shortage of great ones in the past, from"Bang The Drum Slowly" to "Field Of Dreams" to The Natural," and now with the Clint Eastwood-led "Trouble With The Curve" and the Jackie Robinson biopic "42," we're definitely in for a fair slice of the genre in the near future.
"42" — written and to be helmed by Brian Helgeland — has now added another name to its roster with "Pretty Little Liars" star Ryan Merriman set to play Dodgers right-fielder Fred "Dixie" Walker in the groundbreaking story. An early skeptic who reportedly asked to be traded after Robinson's recruitment, Walker went on to be a supporter of Robinson, playing alongside him all season and describing him "as outstanding an athlete as [he] ever saw."
Harrison Ford will, of course, play Dodgers executive Branch Rickey, who made the barrier-smashing decision to sign Robinson with newcomer Chadwick Boseman starring as Robinson himself and "Shame" star Nicole Beharie on board as his wife Rachel Isum. Production is gearing up to get underway soon. Could an upcoming shoot see the film ready in time for awards season? [Variety]