Warner Bros. is developing a biopic centering on NBA superstar Kobe Bryant. The 18-time All-Star spent his two-decade-long career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association, during which he won five NBA championships and was a four-time All-Star MVP.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new Kobe Bryant biopic titled With the 8th Pick is currently in the works at Warner Bros. With a script from Alex Sohn and Gavin Johannsen, the upcoming movie focuses on how the basketball superstar was drafted into the NBA in 1996. Many studios and streamers reportedly showed high interest in the project before Warner Bros. acquired it.
While the project doesn’t have a director yet, it was described as combining elements from Brad Pitt’s Moneyball, The Social Network, and Ben Affleck’s Air, detailing the high-stakes situations that served as pivotal moments that changed the NBA’s future.
What This Means For The Kobe Bryant Biopic With The 8th Pick
Kobe Bryant is smiling while at a game for the Lakers
The title With the 8th Pick refers to John Nash, who held the eighth pick and was interested in acquiring Bryant before draft night. However, due to internal and organizational conflicts, the team passed on the decision. Bryant was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets, who held the 13th pick, but was traded to the Lakers for Vlade Divac.
With the 8th Pick aims to unravel the drama behind the draft night in 1996 that would later change NBA history. In addition, several documentaries about the NBA icon have been made, but none of them zoomed in on the pivotal event in detail. The Kobe: The Making of Legend series on Apple TV and HBO Max explores the superstar’s life from childhood to his post-NBA time as a father and storyteller.
Netflix’s 2025 documentary, The Heart of Black Mamba: A Journey Through the NBA, focuses on the Lakers’ 2010 championship and Bryant’s leadership. Meanwhile, the basketball superstar also had an Oscar-winning short animated film Dear Basketball, narrating his love for basketball.
Our Take On Warner Bros.’ Kobe Bryant Biopic With The 8th Pick
Kobe Bryant playing basketball for the Lakers
With the 8th Pick sounds like a project perfect for the big screen. Not only does it dive into the behind-the-scenes drama of a pivotal moment in NBA history, but it also promises a gritty, intense vibe that makes the viewing experience much more engaging. The movie isn’t just going to be another biopic, but a project with serious commercial and critical potential.
Its ability to generate high interest from other studios and streamers says a lot about the project’s importance. It’s also very likely that With the 8th Pick will be one of the studio’s priorities for its upcoming slate.
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