Warner Bros. has landed a Kobe Bryant movie titled “With the 8th Pick.” The project is still in development, but the spect script comes from Alex Sohn and Gavin Johannsen, and rather than a conventional biopic, it’s designed as a draft-day “thriller” — set during the two weeks leading up to the 1996 NBA Draft.

The story is framed through the eyes of John Nash, the New Jersey Nets’ General Manager, and incoming coach John Calipari, both of whom were eager to land Bryant, but the Nets were financially strapped, and Bryant was already a devoted Lakers fan. On top of that, his Adidas sneaker deal would have been far more lucrative in Los Angeles than in New Jersey.

“With the 8th Pick” is being described as something in the vein of Ben Affleck’s “Air,” which turned sneaker contracts into prestige drama and grossed $90M worldwide. Unlike Air, though — where Michael Jordan was an offscreen presence — this film will actually feature Kobe, as well as his father Joe “Jellybean” Bryant.

It’s still early days on this project. No cast has been announced. No director is currently attached. One thing is clear: this film isn’t focused on Kobe’s illustrious career, nor his untimely death. Instead, it’ll be about the high-stakes world of basketball drafting and the teenage phenom who would reshape the game.

RIP the goat of all goats 🙏🏾

Knew this was coming sooner or later.

Is this really considered a biopic? Like is Air considered a MJ bio I didn't know that fr

so the draft through the eyes of the New Jersey Nets who didn’t draft him

that draft was stacked I don’t get centering it around the 8th pick or even one pick

Cus that one pick is of the goat of all goats

that draft was crazy af tho, Iverson, Marbury, Nash, Ray Allen. I’m sure they’ll have some kinda cameo but they prolly wanted to keep the story very specific on kobe

Tom Holland is Kobe.

Not a biopic

The controversy around a Kobe biopic would be so unbelievably toxic I can’t imagine actually trying to do one. Centering around the draft makes a lot more sense lmao

It’s ultimately a better choice. Start to finish biopics on celebs life story are never that good. It’s always better to take a little slice from their life and stretch it to 2 hours

Sounds like a movie the sadfie’s should make tbh

Think so? Hmm why

Idk the thriller part of the description and the description at large just immediately brought my mind to them

Maybe bc there was a ball player in uncut gems idk

Kerry Kittles gonna catch so many strays in this 💔

Definitely, the thriller aspect, it’s based around sports and the draft usually happens in NY/NJ

Can't tell if title is elite or trash lmao

No in between

It's like you can already see the opening sequence with that title

No

This title.............

We never say no to Kobe