Even if you don’t follow sports, or more specifically, ‘90s NBA players, you probably still know the name Dennis Rodman. On the court, he was known for his colorful hair, a ridiculous number of tattoos, and facial piercings, all of which were unheard of at the time. Off the court, his legend was even more infamous, as he was a very well-known character that loved to party and hang out with buxom beauties. So, when tackling a film about an athlete living his debaucherous best life, you probably should hire Phil Lord and Chris Miller to help tell the tale.
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Thankfully, that’s exactly what Lionsgate has done, securing the rights to develop and produce a new film titled “48 Hours in Vegas.” The film, which is based on a true story, follows the infamous tale of Dennis Rodman leaving the Chicago Bulls in the middle of the NBA Finals in 1998 to spend 48 hours in Las Vegas doing…well, everything a millionaire partier would do in Vegas. The aforementioned Lord and Miller, of “21 Jump Street” and “The Lego Movie” fame, are on board as producers, with Jordan VanDina writing the screenplay.
“Dennis refused to follow the herd,” said Lord and Miller. “That is what made him a target and it’s also what made him a star. His weekend in Las Vegas is full of fun and hijinks but it is also full of important questions about the way public figures and workers are treated, especially when their individuality is expressed so vividly.”
Nathan Kahane, President of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group added, “There’s only one Dennis Rodman. In 1998, there was nobody on Earth who’d be more fun – or maybe more dangerous – to party with. And yet that’s not even half of who he is. This movie takes you on an unforgettable ride with the myth, the legend, and also the man that Dennis is, behind everything you think you know. We could not be more thrilled to be working with Phil, Chris, Aditya, Ari, Will, and Jordan, and above all, Dennis, whose amazing career and life will make for an off-the-wall hilarious yet completely human and emotional movie. You think you know anything about ’The Worm?’ Just you wait!”
Obviously, “48 Hours in Vegas” is still in its infancy, and there are still plenty of questions. Who will play Dennis Rodman? Who will direct this crazy story? We’ll just have to wait and see.