48 Hours in Vegas is set to chronicle the wild story of former NBA star Dennis Rodman‘s two-day adventure with his assistant GM during the 1998 NBA Finals. Around this time, Rodman was a part of the Chicago Bulls en route to their third NBA Championship.
Jonathan Majors has long been set to star as Rodman in the film. However, Majors was fired from the biopic after he was found guilty of assault and harassment. After the verdict, Lionsgate decided to distance itself from the upcoming movie.
The project is now back in the hands of its producers, Phil Lord, Chris Miller, and Aditya Sood, without a studio and lead actor. As the film starts back at the drawing board, it would make sense for the team to begin looking at a replacement for Majors and rethinking the original vision.
Casting Call is back to throw possible contenders into the ring for the starring role as Dennis Rodman. Bonus selections for two additional stars from the dynastic Bulls will also be included. Of course, these two castings will be for NBA legends Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, who were Rodman’s teammates during his infamous Las Vegas bender.
After much thought and consideration, we invite you to check out VIBE’s list of actors who could become the Bulls’ Superman, Batman, and Rodman.
-
Dennis Rodman
Image Credit: Daniel /Allsport Tyrel Jackson Williams
Every actor who wants to take that next step in their career needs a movie that will elevate their profile. 48 Hours in Vegas could be that movie for Tyrel Jackson Williams. The actor’s resume is built chiefly on family-oriented audiences. Williams got his start on Everybody Hates Chris and has since appeared in Lab Rats, Thunder Force, and Hollywood Stargirl. However, his recent role as Sackson in Party Down could be an example of how he handles playing complicated figures looking to get attention through self-expression.
In the show, Sackson is a waiter attempting to become an influencer to make it in Hollywood. The character struggles with his identity and uses TikTok to explore himself. Williams told Vulture that the basis of his character relies on the “cringiness” that comes with finding one’s self. “For Sackson, he’s sort of doing the influencer thing — the bad influencer thing — but he’s just trying to find the thing that’s going to get him the most attention, then make that his whole deal, personality, experience,” he said. “He has an understanding that personality is what gives the biggest influencers their platform and their ability to support themselves, but I don’t think he has a solid understanding of who he is, so he’s willing to do just about anything. That makes it very, very fun to play someone who’s just so desperate to get ahead that they’re willing to completely alter who they are.”
Tyrel Jackson Williams attends STARZ’s “Party Down” Season 3 FYC Screening Event at Hollywood Athletic Club on June 03, 2023 in Hollywood, California. Kopaloff/Getty Images And its that last portion of the quote that could make Williams the perfect candidate to play Rodman. Additionally, the NBA star previously detailed his sexuality as an “open-minded” concept. Williams being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community could lend a particular authenticity and understanding to that aspect of the basketball icon’s life.
If done right, Dennis’ biopic could help catapult Tyrel Jackson Williams into mainstream fame. Book it.
Honorable Mention: Everett Osborne
Osborne recently starred as basketball trailblazer Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton in Sweetwater. The movie showed off his range and ability to handle an icon’s life with care and attention. While he is a shade darker than Rodman, Everett’s natural athleticism and movie performance are enough to let him audition for the part.
Everett Osborne attends the Los Angeles premiere of “Sweetwater” at Steven J. Ross Theatre on the Warner Bros. Lot on April 11, 2023 in Burbank, California. Bennett/Getty Images -
Michael Jordan
Image Credit: Powell /Allsport Damian Delano Young
Now, on to the role of Michael Jordan.
You may or may not know who Damian Delano Young is. Young played Sinqua Walls’ body double in the White Men Can’t Jump remake. He also played Jordan’s likeness in AIR—the film about Nike’s rise to basketball dominance. While Damian doesn’t call himself an actor, the casting crew felt that his body was reminiscent of the GOAT’s stature. So, with a little faith, some acting lessons, and patience, Young could star as MJ in 48 Hours in Vegas.
The movie doesn’t require too much of Michael and the Bulls since it focuses on Rodman. But, since it takes place halfway through the team’s 1997-98 season, you need a couple shots of “His Airness” schooling the league.
AIR and White Men Can’t Jump showcase Young’s on-court skills perfectly. In fact, Young spoke to EBONY about how he landed the role in AIR. He recalled an unnamed figure telling him that he “looked like he could play Michael Jordan.” “Sometimes I wish I was just an actor so I could love [playing MJ] more. From a competitive athlete perspective, it’s like, I know I’m not MJ, [but] it’s still great just to have my name mentioned alongside his.”
Give Damian his chance to put his face alongside Jordan’s. There might be something special here.
Honorable mentions: Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards is a young rising star in the NBA who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Edwards already has an acting credit, playing the brash Kermit Wilts in Adam Sandler’s Hustle. While he does need few acting pointers, Edwards showed promise as a thespian. Furthermore, the internet thinks AE looks like he could be Jordan’s son. And they’re not wrong. Anthony wears his wrist band on his elbow like the legend, drives to the hole like the GOAT, and even carries his “killer mentality.” This might be the one.
Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on against the New Orleans Pelicans in the fourth quarter at Target Center on November 08, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Pelicans 122-101. Berding/Getty Images -
Scottie Pippen
Image Credit: Getty Images Lecrae
Scottie Pippen was Jordan’s right-hand man on the court and the “chill” to Dennis’s eccentric nature. He balanced out the trio. Lecrae would be perfect for the role, continuing with the “left-field” cast selection. Crae could easily get into Pippen’s mindset and demeanor based on the rapper’s natural, even-keeled personality. Plus, the 6’4 rapper looks a lot like a younger version of the legendary athlete. It’s uncanny.
The GRAMMY Award-winning artist also has a fair share of acting experience under his belt. Lecrae has stuck to his roots of Christian-based projects and mostly has starred in faith-driven films. These gigs include roles in Journey to Bethlehem, Good Lord, Believe Me, and, of course, a role as a rapper in Superfly.
His prior acting experience in drama, his face, and his stature would make for one of the more believable portrayals of Scottie on screen. And look, if Beyoncé thought Lecrae was a basketball player, then it wouldn’t hurt to give the emcee a shot on the big screen.
Lecrae attends 2020 Roc Nation THE BRUNCH on January 25, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Boddi/Getty Images for Roc Nation Honorable mention: No honorable mention. We found our guy.