Genre: Drama.
Studio:
Universal Pictures.
Production Company:
Beacon Communications.
Project Phase: Greenlighted.
Who's In It:
Kevin Costner (Billy Chapel); Kelly Preston (Jane Aubrey).
Who's Making It:
Sam Raimi (Director); Armyan Bernstein, Sydney Pollack, Amy Robinson (Producers);
based on the novel by Michael Shaara.
Premise: While hurling a perfect game, an aging baseball pitcher daydreams back to what went wrong with his life over the years.
Release Date: Summer 1999.
Comments: Costner finally returns to his baseball roots (Bull Durham, Field of Dreams) with the hope he can regain his popularity back.
Rumors: Unknown.
Scoop Feedback:
[Curve ball thrown by future hall-of-famer 'Deadpool'.]
March 20, 1998... Daily Variety reports Kevin Costner is in final talks to don pinstripes once more in For the Love of the Game for Beacon Pictures and Universal. Costner loosely committed to the project two years ago but never sealed a deal. The project languished at Universal but Beacon took an interest in it after the company had signed an overall production deal with Universal. Production is scheduled to start some time in September, right after Costner wraps his work on Message in a Bottle for Warner Bros. Lately the charismatic actor has set up several projects to star in, including Thirteen Days, also at Beacon, and flirting with the notion of a sequel to The Bodyguard. Universal will likely take domestic distribution on the FtLotG project, while Beacon, which will cover an undetermined portion of the budget, will probably handle the foreign rights. [Scoop provided by 'Deadpool'.]
June 24, 1998... Sam Raimi has claimed a plum assignment for a baseball fanatic -- directing Kevin Costner in his third baseball picture, For the Love of the Game. Filming takes place in New York City in Yankee Stadium this September. Several top directors circled the project in recent weeks but according to an insider that spoke to The Hollywood Reporter, Raimi won the job by impressing producers with his love of baseball and understanding of the story. The tale of a veteran pitcher throwing the game of his life was developed originally by Mirage Enterprises' Sydney Pollack and Amy Robinson. [Scoop provided by 'Deadpool'; originally appeared in The Hollywood Reporter.]
September 1, 1998... We're scooped that Kevin Costner is having a little bit of hard time getting a female lead for his new baseball movie. According to our scooper, the female lead is a fashion photographer who falls for Kevin's character. Producers had originally approached Helen Hunt for the role, but she turned it down. They're now hoping that Natasha Richardson will give in and play Kevin's love interest. [Danka, 'adamcatilin'.]
September 14, 1998... Right now the production is scouting New Jersey parks that have a baseball diamond -- probably for the flashback scenes of Costner's character's childhood. [Thanks to our Joirsey umpire 'Joeyjoejoejunior' for da tip!]
October 3, 1998... Kelly Preston aka Mrs Travolta has climbed onboard this project. She will play Costner's love interest Jane Aubry. There's also been mention in a few NYC newspapers that extras will be need to fill the Yankee Stadium sometime this month.
Hey Universal how about hiring some young columnist as one of the extras? It would give you guy some nice FREE PUBLICITY. [Scoop provided by 'DeadPool', who's warming up in the bullpen]
October 27, 1998... Some interesting news concerning the shooting practices of the film has rolled into our studio. "They are using some new filming technology for this film, necessitating some pre-shoot filming on the part of the cinematography team, the DP and the Director. The actual shoot has begun now, or will begin very soon in NYC. In mid to late November the shoot will be moving to L.A. - probably due to climactic considerations." [Rolled out by 'DM'.]
"Must be doing some flashback scenes on the campus of C.W.Post, in Brookville, Long Island, because my daughter called me on Sat. the 24th of October to tell me that she had shaken hands with Costner that morning." [The guy with the lucky daughter is 'jfriedel'.]
A report from USA Today said Costner is playing a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers. His character wants to pitch a perfect game against the New York Yankees. [Scoop provided by 'DeadPool', first appeared on the Cinescape Insider.]
November 16, 1998... Thanks to our friend here we know now that Dana Stevens, who wrote the screenplay for City of Angels, is the author of this film's screenplay. [Thanks Adam.]
December 14, 1998...This scooper sent us some shooting location news: "Sam Raimi is exploring 'the dark side of a failed relationship' i.e., the suffering involved. While his subject is pitching a perfect game, it will be very interesting to see the result. Also, there will be some filming in Aspen, Colorado, toward the end of January, 1999, and into February. Then back to L.A." [Fastball thrown by 'DM'.]
January 4, 1999... "I live in Snowmass Village Colorado, which is located 8 miles from Aspen. Back in November. I was at a training session for a new job when the boss walked in and said, 'You dont mind if Kevin Costner uses this building to film a movie do you?' Everyone chuckled and that was the end of it.
"Fast forward 2 months: December 30th, 1998 Over the course of the last 2 days I have noticed all sorts of trucks and mobile dressing rooms moving up the mountain towards the ski area. Today I went on a mission to locate where the equipment was going to. In Snowmass Village we have a ski area called 'Two Creeks' where it looks like they are setting up a base camp. There are lots of equipment trucks, vans with California plates, mobile dressing rooms,and Tony's food truck. The parking lot is roped off with a sign that says 'Closed for filming'. Everyone in the area is tight lipped on what is going on other than, 'they will be filming a movie in a couple of days.' I'm guessing this is where they will be filming part of the new Cosnter movie." [Keep your eyes peeled Karen, and let us know what you see.]
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