The next great baseball movie is potentially in the works with The Comebacker, based on a short story by Dave Eggers.
Tom Hanks is slated to star in the adaptation. It is his first baseball movie since the 1992 classic A League of Their Own. However, this will be the third time Hanks has starred in a work based on Eggers’ writing, following A Hologram for the King and The Circle.
Marielle Heller is set to direct. She previously worked with Hanks on A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, the movie based on the life of Mr. Rogers. Bad Bunny and Colman Domingo are also looking to star in the film, but their roles are unknown at this time. Some reports only have these two as “interested” in the project. Time will tell if they are eventually cast.
Eggers’ The Comebacker appeared in the story story collection The Forgetters. It follows Lionel Vratimos, a beat reporter covering the struggling San Francisco Giants, as he navigates a routine defined by monotony, minor irritations, and a losing season. His perspective begins to shift when Nathan Couture, an unconventional rookie pitcher, joins the team. Unlike others, Nathan engages with Lionel’s writing and approaches the game with a reflective, almost philosophical outlook. As Lionel observes Nathan’s presence on and off the field, he begins to reconsider both his work and the meaning he finds in the sport he covers.
While the story follows a Giants reporter, the movie is said to follow a New York Mets reporter.
This project is subject to a bidding war among studios, so we should see this one sooner rather than later.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vince is the Entertainment Editor at Book Notification. His first book was Green Eggs & Ham by Dr. Seuss, and his passion for reading took off from there. He'll read just about anything, but can usually be found re-reading his favorite Pynchon novels and Seattle Mariners box scores.