“Kevin Costner’s 11-Year-Old Sports Drama Is Being Rebooted for TV with a Major Twist”
A television adaptation of Ivan Reitman’s 2014 sports drama Draft Day is in the works, but with a major shift: the focus will move from the NFL to the NBA. The original film, starring Kevin Costner, Jennifer Garner, and the late Chadwick Boseman, centered on the high-stakes world of NFL draft day. However, the upcoming TV series will capture the drama of basketball players making their way into the NBA.
According to Deadline, the series is being developed by Lionsgate TV, SpringHill, and Madison Wells. It promises to showcase the intensity and excitement of players being drafted and realizing their dreams, much like the movie did with football. The original film earned a 60% score on Rotten Tomatoes and grossed $29.8 million worldwide.
LeBron James and Maverick Carter, co-founders of SpringHill, will executive produce the TV series. Madison Wells, the production company behind the 2014 movie, will also produce the show.
Lionsgate’s Scott Herbst, EVP and Head of Scripted Development, praised SpringHill’s involvement, noting, “When you think of basketball and its world, LeBron James is the name that comes to mind. His passion, drive, and commitment to excellence are evident in everything he touches, and with SpringHill’s involvement, this project is in the best hands possible.”
Jamal Henderson, SpringHill’s Chief Content Officer, also expressed excitement about the project, calling it a “dynamic, character-driven” series that will explore the “grind and hustle” of professional sports. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Lionsgate to present a new perspective on one of the most crucial moments in an athlete’s career,” he said.
