ESPN joins Redford's Robinson biopic

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - ESPN said Monday its film unit would join forces with Robert Redford on a theatrical movie about Jackie Robinson, the Brooklyn Dodgers star who broke baseball's color barrier in the 1940s.

ESPN Films joins the biopic that Redford has been working on for several years. Thomas Carter ("Coach Carter") is attached as director for the project. Redford will play Branch Rickey, the team's general manager.

The project has the blessing of Rachel Robinson, Jackie Robinson's widow, as well as Branch Rickey Jr. and Major League Baseball. Among the producers are Howard and Karen Baldwin, who helped bring "Ray" to the big screen.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter