Robert De Niro snags the role of Vince Lombardi | Movie News

Here's some rather cool news for the day. Robert De Niro has been cast to play coaching legend Vince Lombardi in a biopic being developed by ESPN Films, Andell Entertainment and the NFL. The film is simply titled, LOMBARDI.

Screenwriter Eric Roth (FORREST GUMP, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON) penned the script. The film will center on the years that Lombardi rebuilt the Green Bay Packers into NFL champions. The producers are planning to release the film between the AFC and NFC conference championship games and the Super Bowl in 2012.

“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,” says Charles Coplin, the NFL’s vice president programming. “With the addition of De Niro, Eric and Tribeca Prods., we have a deep bench to produce a film worthy of the legendary coach and American icon.”

The rights to Lombardi's story were acquired by ESPN and Andell from his estate and son Vincent Lombardi Jr., as well as the rights to the book “Instant Replay,” written by former Packer Jerry Kramer and Dick Schaap. “We’ve had an extraordinary relationship with ESPN for five years through the Tribeca Film Festival, and now we’re able to extend that association into production,” said Tribeca Productions co-founder Rosenthal.

De Niro and Jane Rosenthal’s Tribeca Productions will produce along with ESPN Films, Andell Entertainment, the NFL, and Chris Olsen.

Extra Tidbit: In 1928, at the age of 15, he entered Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception, a six-year secondary program to become a Catholic priest.