LaKeith Stanfield is set to play NBA legend Dennis Rodman in Lionsgate’s “48 Hours in Vegas,” taking over the role after Jonathan Majors was dropped from the film following his 2023 assault conviction.
The upcoming comedy is “inspired by the untold story of Dennis Rodman’s legendary trip to Las Vegas during the 1998 NBA Finals — just as the Rodman’s Chicago Bulls are on the verge of completing their second consecutive threepeat championship in eight years,” according to a release. The film will follow two days of the Chicago Bulls power forward’s infamous trip to Las Vegas in the middle of the 1998 NBA Finals.
Rick Famuyiwa (“The Mandalorian,” “Ahsoka”) will direct “48 Hours in Vegas” and write the next draft of the screenplay, following an earlier draft by Jordan VanDina.
The film will be produced by Lord Miller’s Phil Lord, Chris Miller, and Aditya Sood. Executive producers include Ari Lubet, Rodman and Lucy Kitada, with Nikki Baida serving as co-producer. Meredith Wieck and Pavan Kalidindi will oversee the project for Lionsgate, while Robert Melnik negotiated the deals on behalf of the studio.
“I’m genuinely excited to help create an exhilarating, joyful work that both honors and thoughtfully examines the legacy of Rodman and fellow trailblazers,” Stanfield said in a statement. “Those who moved to the beat of their own drum, undeterred by the obstacles placed before them, then and now.”
Stanfield is an Oscar nominee for his performance for in 2021’s “Judas and the Black Messiah.” He is known for roles in films including “The Book of Clarence,” “Sorry to Bother You” and “Get Out,” as well as the FX dramedy series “Atlanta.” He most recently appeared in “Roofman” and “Die My Love,” and will next be seen in “I Love Boosters.” Stanfield is represented by CAA, Stark Management and Ginsburg Daniels Kallis.
“Dennis Rodman is more than a basketball player, more than a personality—he’s an entire cultural phenomenon. His bold style and physical presence, combined with an iconic persona, created a larger-than-life impact on and off the court,” said Erin Westerman, president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “There’ll never be another like him. LaKeith and the incredibly talented team on this film will bring the legend to life in this most extraordinarily unbelievable story.”
Majors was previously attached to the Rodman film until he was convicted of two misdemeanor counts of harassment and assault stemming from a domestic dispute with his former partner. He was sentenced in April 2024 to one year of domestic violence counseling.
Insneider was first to report the casting news.
