Kevin Costner‘s movies have been at the center of TV adaptations before. The seminal 1989 baseball film Field of Dreams, written and directed by Phil Alden Robinson, with Costner in the lead role, was in the works for Peacock back in late 2021. Michael Schur, creator of The Good Place and co-creator of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Parks and Recreation, was attached to write and executive produce the potential series.
The project was eventually scrapped, with Peacock opting to focus on other series and declining to spend money on the adaptation. Schur did mention that his version of Field of Dreams would have included the likes of Nick Offerman and Andre Braugher, in addition to serving as a reunion for The Good Place co-stars Kristen Bell and William Jackson Harper. Another one of Costner’s sports dramas, albeit with a more muted reputation, is being eyed for an adaptation.
2014’s Draft Day Is Getting A TV Adaptation
It’ll Focus On Basketball Instead
Draft Day is getting a TV adaptation. Directed by Ivan Reitman, with Rajiv Joseph and Scott Rothman credited for the script, the film centered on the general manager (played by Costner) of the Cleveland Browns and how he decides to move forward after acquiring the NFL’s number one draft pick. Mixing a fictional lead character with a real NFL team, Draft also starred Jennifer Garner, Denis Leary, Frank Langella, Sam Elliott, Ellen Burstyn, Tom Welling, Terry Crews, and Chadwick Boseman.
Draft Day didn’t perform well at the box office, grossing $29.8 million against a reported $25 million budget, and received mixed reviews.
Deadline confirms that Draft Day is getting adapted into a TV series, albeit with a twist. The project plans to focus on basketball and the NBA rather than American football. In particular, the Draft Day show plans to “capture the drama and excitement of watching basketball players get drafted and fulfill their dreams.” The project hails from Lionsgate TV and LeBron James’ SpringHill alongside Madison Wells, which produced the 2014 film. It is still early in the process, with no writer attached.
Scott Herbst, EVP and Head of Scripted Development at Lionsgate Television, said the project was in good hands. The sentiment was echoed by Jamal Henderson, SpringHill’s Chief Content Officer. Their statements are included below:
Herbst: “If you are going to do a show set in and around the world of basketball, one person comes to mind ahead of all others. The same passion, drive and commitment to excellence that drove LeBron James to be the best in the game is evident in everything he touches and with SpringHill’s oversight, this project is in the best possible hands.”
Henderson: “This is a dynamic, character-driven project that perfectly captures the grind and hustle of professional sports. We’re excited to team up with Lionsgate to create a fresh look at the pressures and triumphs behind one of the most crucial days in any player’s career.”
Our Take On The Draft Day Adaptation
Casting Is Key
As seen with the fate of Field of Dreams, planned TV projects can fall apart along the way. Still, if the adaptation does move forward and gain steam, a big part of the appeal will come down to who gets cast in the new Draft Day. The film is best remembered, likely, for being one of the late Chadwick Boseman’s earlier movies.
Source: Deadline