In what will have to be one of the hardest roles ever to cast, Variety reports Lion Forge Comics and producers Scott Steindorff and Dylan Russell are developing a biopic about superstar pro-wrestler Andre “The Giant” Roussimoff. Variety reports the project is based on the graphic novel “Andre the Giant: Closer to Heaven“.
Not only did Andre help put the WWE and professional wrestling on the map, he also made his mark in Hollywood playing the iconic role of Fezzik in The Princess Bride. The biopic will cover all of that as well as Andre’s battle with gigantism, which lead to his enormous size.
Filling Andre’s size 24 shoes is going to be a challenge. He was billed as being 7-feet-four, weighing in at more than 500 pounds. Not many actors fit that bill.
My first thought would be fellow wrestler Paul “The Big Show” Wright. Not only is he physically comparable (billed at 7-foot and around 450 pounds), he has some Hollywood experience appearing in The Water Boy and Jingle All the Way. In another weird tie, when he wrestled in the WCW he was called “The Giant” and was portrayed as Andre’s son.
Whoever is chosen it will be with Andre’s family’s blessing. Variety reports Andre’s daughter, Robin Christensen-Roussimoff, will consult on the film.
