Andre the Giant Movie Is Happening, Who Can Even Play Him?

Finally! We’re getting anAndré the Giantbiopic. But the man was so muchlarger than life, who can actually play him on screen without the assistance of CGI? PerhapsDwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnsonis the only one who can do thelegendary wrestlerjustice. As the two were friends. But this is something Lion Forge Comics and producersScott SteindorffandDylan Russellwill have to struggle with in the months ahead asAndre the Giant: Closer to Heavenmoves towards production.

The movie will be based on the graphic novel biography published last year, which chronicled the amazing life of this extraordinary giant.Andre’s daughterRobin Christensen-Roussimoffwill serve as a consultant on the movie, after assigning the exclusive rights to the producers. SaysScott Steindorffabout the project.

“Andre the Giant rode the wave of the rise of wrestling in America, while suffering from the painful health condition of gigantism - there’s an Elephant Man story here.”

Not only wasAndre the Giantknown for his iconic wrestling moves, he also played a key part inRob Reiner’s 1987 cult hitThe Princess Bride. The man starred as the giant Fezzik in the fantasy comedy. He was one part of a bandit trio acting oppositeWallace ShawnandMandy Patinkin. And it’s likely that this part of his life will at least be partially chronicled in the movie.

Roussimoffbegan his career inprofessional wrestlingat the young age of 17. He hailed from “Grenoble in the French Alps"and was billed as the 7-feet-4 giant who weighed over 500 pounds. Lion Forge CEO David Steward II had this to say about his company moving forward onCloser to Heaven.

“As a lifelong wrestling fan, I can say with conviction that no one was bigger than Andre. His presence and charisma were so powerful, and you could tell there was much more to him under the surface of his ring persona. It’s been an amazing experience telling that story in the book with Robin’s help. With all the spectacle, action, and emotion there on the page, a feature film just made perfect sense.”

The graphic novelCloser to Heaven, written byBrandon Eastonand illustrated byDenis Medri, was nominated for the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity and three Glyph Awards. It tracksAndrefrom his earliest days working on a farm in France to his rise in pro wrestling, which helped establish theWWEdue to his own incredible popularity. The Superstar’s daughterRobinhad this to say about the impending movie.

“I’m really excited to watch this story come to life on the big screen. It’s been a labor of love for everyone involved, and we’re really looking forward to making it available to a larger audience.”

It isn’t known whenAndre the Giant: Closer to Heavenwill hit the big screen. The next step is finding the right director and writer to bring this project together in the right way. One possible filmmaking candidate could beRob Reinerwho has an intimate knowledge of working with the man. But beyondThe Rock, it’s impossible to think of another working actor who could do this role justice. And in all likelihood, the role could end up going to a virtual unknown. But even then, no one denies thatAndre the Giantwas one of a kind, and will be nearly impossible to replicate.