Kobe Bryant Christian Petersen/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Share to Flipboard Send an Email Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Print the Article Post a Comment A film project centered around NBA superstar Kobe Bryant's journey to the Los Angeles Lakers has landed at Warner Bros., The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Alex Sohn and Gavin Johannsen penned the spec screenplay for With the 8th Pick, which tracks the high-stakes process that led to Bryant getting drafted into the NBA in 1996. The project was generating high interest from other studios and streamers before Warners stepped in to preemptively nab it. A director has not yet been attached. With the 8th Pick is said to focus on the New Jersey Nets and then-general manager John Nash, who held the eighth pick in the draft and considered taking Bryant out of high school. The future Hall of Famer ended up being taken by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th pick before he was traded to the Lakers, where he would win five NBA championships and become an icon of the city. Related Stories Movies Kristen Wiig and Jonah Hill to Star in Warner Bros. Comedy 'Cut Off,' Set for 2026 Release Movies 'The Batman 2' to Shoot in Spring, James Gunn Writing Next Movie in "Super" Family The project is described as having elements of Moneyball (which starred Brad Pitt) and Air, Ben Affleck's Matt Damon-starring pic that tracked the beginning of Michael Jordan's now-legendary partnership with Nike. With the 8th Pick? is said to detail the pivotal process in which slightly different decisions could have changed the NBA's future. Bryant was part of the legendary Lakers teams that included center Shaquille O'Neal and coach Phil Jackson. Bryant died in a helicopter crash in 2020 at age 41, as did 13-year-old daughter Gianna. Sohn is also writing Netflix's planned John Madden project that hails from Religion of Sports. He is represented by Verve and Lit Agency. Johannensen is repped by Verve and Gotham. The InSneider was first to report on the film. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up red carpet Charlie Day "Would Be Up for" Third 'Horrible Bosses' Film, Has Had "Conversations About It" Sarajevo Film Festival Sarajevo Film Festival 2025 Awards: 'Wind, Talk to Me,' 'Our Time Will Come' Win Top Prizes Heat Vision 'Nobody 2' Producers David Leitch and Kelly McCormick Talk 'Gears of War' and Moving on From 'Jurassic World' Heat Vision Bif Naked, Pamela Carolina Martinez Star in 'Lupe Q and the Galactic Earworms' Sci-Fi Comedy (Exclusive) Heat Vision Box Office Milestone: 'Superman' First Superhero Pic of Year to Fly Past $600 Million Globally Heat Vision 'Americana' Director Defends Weak Debut, Says Sydney Sweeney Movie "Got Gobbled Up by the Zeitgeist" red carpet Charlie Day "Would Be Up for" Third 'Horrible Bosses' Film, Has Had "Conversations About It" Sarajevo Film Festival Sarajevo Film Festival 2025 Awards: 'Wind, Talk to Me,' 'Our Time Will Come' Win Top Prizes Heat Vision 'Nobody 2' Producers David Leitch and Kelly McCormick Talk 'Gears of War' and Moving on From 'Jurassic World' Heat Vision Bif Naked, Pamela Carolina Martinez Star in 'Lupe Q and the Galactic Earworms' Sci-Fi Comedy (Exclusive) Heat Vision Box Office Milestone: 'Superman' First Superhero Pic of Year to Fly Past $600 Million Globally Heat Vision 'Americana' Director Defends Weak Debut, Says Sydney Sweeney Movie "Got Gobbled Up by the Zeitgeist"