Robert De Niro is in talks to play Tommy Lasorda in a new sports film titled Tommy & Me, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Reid Carolin, who directed 2022’s Dog starring Channing Tatum, is set to direct the project for Skydance Sports. The script is being written by Carolin, George Gallo and Cambron Clark.
The film’s title promises a personal story about Lasorda’s life, but the plot details remain under wraps. What is known is that Lasorda spent seven decades with the Los Angeles Dodgers in every role he held. He died in 2021 at age 93.
Lasorda’s Long Road to the Dodgers
Lasorda’s path to the team began in 1945, when he played for the Philadelphia Phillies. After two years in the U.S. military, he returned to baseball in the minor leagues. His major league debut came in 1954 with the then-Brooklyn Dodgers, where he played for two seasons.
Then came a trade to the Kansas City Athletics, where he pitched for one season before retiring as a player. That ended his career on the field, but it marked the start of his much longer run behind it.
From 1960 through 1965, Lasorda worked as a scout for the Dodgers. He then coached in the minor leagues from 1966 to 1972. In 1973, he returned to the majors as a third base coach for the Dodgers. He took over as third base coach in 1976 and stayed with the team until his retirement in 1996.
Lasorda was a beloved figure throughout his career, known for his love of the game and his loyalty to the Dodgers organization. He once said, “I bleed Dodger blue and when I die, I’m going to the big Dodger in the sky.”
The Script Writers
Carolin is directing the film after helming Dog. Gallo and Clark are co-writing the screenplay with him. No other cast members have been announced at this stage.
The film is being produced by Skydance Sports, the studio arm of the entertainment company Skydance Media.
De Niro’s Next Move
De Niro is currently filming Focker-in-Law, which stars him alongside Ben Stiller and Ariana Grande. That film hits theaters in November.
The two-time Oscar winner is best known for his roles in Taxi Driver, Cape Fear, Raging Bull, The Irishman and Killers of the Flower Moon, among many others. His casting as Lasorda signals that the film aims for a serious, character-driven approach rather than a broad comedy.
What the Film Won’t Tell You Yet
The announcement offers no plot details beyond the title and the fact that the film is about Lasorda. What the film will cover is anyone’s guess. There is no word on a release date either, and the project is still in early development.
A Career Built on Loyalty
Lasorda’s connection to the Dodgers spanned seven decades across multiple roles. He joined the team as a player in 1954 and remained with it until his retirement in 1996, with only a brief stint away during his pitching career.
The Road Ahead
The film is still in early development. De Niro is in talks to star, which means the deal has not been finalized. The script is being written, and the plot remains unannounced.
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| De Niro’s involvement | In talks |
| Director | Reid Carolin |
| Writers | George Gallo, Cambron Clark |
| Studio | Skydance Sports |
| Release date | Not announced |
| Plot details | Under wraps |
Whether Tommy & Me becomes a reality depends on De Niro signing on and the script finding its shape. For now, the title alone tells you what the film is about: a man named Tommy, and the life that defined him.
The film’s title suggests a warm, intimate portrait of a man whose career was defined by loyalty to one team. Lasorda’s quote sums up the spirit of the project. He bled Dodger blue, and he believed his soul would join the big Dodger in the sky. A film that captures that faith might just earn its place in the annals of sports cinema.
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