STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON opened a lot of doors for actors Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell and O'Shea Jackson Jr. Though the former two have been the busiest with projects like DETROIT (Mitchell), 24: LEGACY (Hawkins) and KONG: SKULL ISLAND (both), Jackson is hot on their trail having just landed a starring role as one of the most colorful characters in all of baseball – Dock Ellis.
Deadline got the scoop that Jackson has secured the job to play the former Pirates pitcher in a biopic from his father Ice Cube's production company, Cube Vision, with David Permut (HACKSAW RIDGE), Jeff Kwatinetz and Cube himself producing with a script from Joey Poach. The player was known for his bold behavior off the field, but he’s remembered most for pitching a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres while high on LSD (a feat he achieved 47 years ago to the day yesterday!). The movie is looking for directors now.
Ellis’ life of drugs and good times came to an end, though, and after the athlete admitted he never pitched a game sober he sought rehabilitation for alcohol and drug treatment. He then dedicated his life to helping others do the same, especially athletes. Permut praised Poach’s script calling it, ”one of the most heartfelt, honest and emotional pieces of material I’ve read in years, and I think the complexities of the character are a perfect fit for O’Shea.”
Jackson had a great debut with COMPTON, creating a spitting image of his own father both in look and personality. He hasn’t been seen in a lot since the 2015 hit, but he’s got several projects coming down the pipe, such as GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS. I’m curious to see his acting chops put to the test, and what better way to do that then to have his portray a constantly intoxicated baseball legend?
GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS arrives March 2019.