Celebrity Update Robert De Niro is said to play legendary coach Vince Lombardi in the feature film Lombardi being developed by ESPN Films, Andell Entertainment and the NFL. movie looking at his transformation of the Green Bay Packers from the National Football League’s worst team to five-time NFL champions in the 1960s.

“We’re thrilled to have Robert De Niro on our team,” said Charles Coplin, NFL vice president of programming. “There are few actors who could accurately portray the fire, passion and grit of Lombardi.”

The legendary coach died in 1970 at age 57. The film about Lombardi is expected to be released just before the 2012 Super Bowl.