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Robert Redford Takes You Out To The Ballgame

Arguably, Robert Redford's best role was that of baseball wunderkind, slugger Roy Hobbs in The Natural. So of course it's only "natural" that the actor/director returns to the baseball well once again, just like that other junkie for America's favorite pastime, Kevin Costner.

Redford has been developing a biopic on the life of America's first black baseball player, Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson, for several years now. ESPN Films, the film arm of the sports entertainment network giant, has just signed on to co-produce the film with Redford.

Redford is also set to star in the pic, portraying the pivotal part of Dodgers GM Branch Rickey. No title for the film, which was initially announced back in 2005, has been given at press time, nor has an official director been chosen. Surely, many young actors will clamor for the chance to portray Robinson in the movie.

Additionally, Major League Baseball and Robinson's widow Rachel have given the film the go-ahead. The movie is of incredible relevance, as it explores the men who broke baseball's long-standing color barrier.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
04.16.08