posted by Austin Welch
Anybody who knows me knows what a baseball junkie I am, and I adore films about the Grand Game. But while most flicks focus on the either fans or the players themselves, this one’s going to be a little different. Mr. Jolie will play baseball executive Billy Beane, who arguably revolutionized the way the business side of the game is played in the early part of this decade.
Brad Pitt is set to star in Moneyball, a film based on the bestselling book, which is subtitled The Art of Winning an Unfair Game. Shooting begins June 11th on the film, which tells the story of Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane, and his modern, unorthodox approach as a baseball executive. Steven Soderbergh will not only direct, but act as his own DP.
“I want it to be really funny and entertaining, and I want you to not realize how much information is being thrown at you because you’re having fun,” says Soderbergh, when probed about the challenge of making an entertaining film based on the business side and statistics of baseball. “We’ve found a couple of ideas on how to bust the form a bit, in order for all that information to reach you in a way that’s a little oblique.”
Oscar winner Steve Zaillian penned the script, which is reportedly quite faithful to the book. Strangely, comedian Demetri Martin assumes the role of Beane prodigy Paul DePodesta, while three real baseball personalities – players David Justive and Scott Hatteberg; manager Art Howe – will portray themselves.
