Disney’s long-gestating sport’s drama “McFarland” is getting a new lease of life, with “Planet of the Apes” scribe William Broyles, Jr. coming on board to re-write the script, an individual with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap.
The film is based on the true story of a high-school coach in McFarland, Calif., who created a track team of Latino champions in the 1980s, overcoming many social obstacles along the way.
“Whale Rider’s” Niki Caro is directing the feature, with Mark Ciardi and Gordon Gray producing for Mayhem Pictures.
The project was resurrected as a Mayhem Pictures feature last year, with the actor and writer Grant Thompson writing a new version of the script.
Originally called “The Boys of McFarland," the film is based on a 1997 Los Angeles Times story about the coach.
The film has been in the works at Disney since 2004.
"McFarland" is described as a cross between "Remember the Titans" and "Coach Carter.” Broyles credits include “Cast Away,” “Apollo 13” and “The Polar Express.”
He is represented by CAA.
