Legendary Pictures is working with the family of Jackie Robinson to develop and produce a biopic about the first African American Major League Baseball player.
Brian Helgeland ("LA Confidential") will write and direct the movie, which falls under Legendary's overall deal with Warner Bros.
Legendary's Chairman, Thomas Tull, is producing.
Dick Cook, the former chairman of Walt Disney Studios, marks his return to the movie business as executive producer. Cook worked for Disney for 38 years — seven as chairman. He was fired in 2009. Legendary's chief creative officer, Jon Jashni, also is executive producer.
Cook is a member of Legendary's board of directors — and is a baseball fan.
Robinson, who died in 1972 when he was 53, broke the color barrier when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.
In a written statement, his widow, Rachel Robinson, said, "My family and I are thrilled to have this important film on Jack produced by Legendary Pictures. We are proud of his lasting impact on our society, and we know that the legacy he left is inspiring and worth preserving."
In addition to being the first African American in the Major League, the second baseman was the first black television analyst. Robinson also helped establish Freedom Bank, an African American-owned bank in Harlem.
He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.
