If you see Transformers: Age of Extinction this weekend, one of the guys playing alongside Optimus Prime, robot dinosaurs and Mark Wahlberg’s biceps could be playing Josh Hamilton in an upcoming biopic.
According to Deadline, director Casey Affleck wants to cast Jack Reynor as the Angels outfielder in a feature film of Hamilton’s life story. The Wrap’s Jeff Sneider reports that the tentative title for the movie is “Miracle Shot.” The film is based on Hamilton’s memoir, Beyond Belief: Finding The Strength To Come Back. Reynor, 22, most recently had a role in the comedy Delivery Man.
The project has been in development with Relativity Media since 2012, produced by Basil Iwanyk with Affleck (perhaps best known for his roles in the “Ocean’s Eleven” trio of films) writing and directing. This would be the actor’s feature film debut. He previously directed the fake documentary I’m Still Here, which followed Joaquin Phoenix’s supposed transition from acting into a rap career.
Affleck’s inexperience might call into question whether or not he can accurately depict just how dynamic of a talent Hamilton is on the field. Of course, we don’t know how much actual baseball is portrayed in the movie. But if needed, Affleck could certainly get help with filming the baseball scenes in the story. That might help set this film apart from recent baseball movie disappointments like Trouble With the Curve and Million Dollar Arm.
Regardless, anyone familiar with Hamilton’s story knows that it could make for a compelling movie. The No. 1 overall draft pick by the Rays in 1999, Hamilton squandered his talent by falling into drug addiction and looked to be a monumental bust. But he eventually cleaned up, fueled by his faith, and turned himself around. Hamilton revived his baseball career with the Reds and eventually fulfilled his superstar expectations with the Rangers, winning the AL MVP award in 2010. Two years later, he signed a five-year, $125 million contract with the Angels.
Of course, we don’t know if Reynor can play a baseball player — let alone one with Hamilton’s MVP talent — convincingly. Hopefully, he’s at least left-handed, so he can portray a believable swing. Actually, we don’t know if Reynor is even that good of an actor. Unfortunately, co-starring in a “Transformers” movie probably won’t give us much indication of that.
