LaKeith Stanfield has been cast to play NBA legend Dennis Rodman in the upcoming Lionsgate film “48 Hours in Vegas,” stepping into the role previously held by Jonathan Majors.
The studio announced the casting change as the project moves forward under the direction of Rick Famuyiwa, known for “Dope” and his work on the “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian.” Famuyiwa is also set to write the latest draft of the screenplay, following an initial script by Jordan VanDina.
The film is inspired by the true story of Rodman’s infamous excursion to Las Vegas during the 1998 NBA Finals. While his Chicago Bulls teammates prepared for a pivotal series against the Utah Jazz, Rodman requested a 48-hour leave of absence, embarking on a whirlwind adventure that became sports folklore.
“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 replaces Majors, who was dropped from the project and other high-profile roles following his conviction on misdemeanor assault and harassment charges in December 2023. Majors had originally been attached to star as the eclectic rebounding specialist.
The film is being produced by Phil Lord, Chris Miller, and Aditya Sood for Lord Miller. Rodman himself will serve as an executive producer alongside Ari Lubet and Lucy Kitada.
Erin Westerman, president of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, praised the casting choice, noting the unique challenge of portraying the basketball icon.
“Dennis Rodman is more than a basketball player, more than a personality — he’s an entire cultural phenomenon,” Westerman said. “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.”
Stanfield, an Academy Award nominee for “Judas and the Black Messiah,” is widely recognized for his roles in the FX series “Atlanta” and films such as “Get Out,” “Sorry to Bother You,” and “Knives Out.”
Lionsgate has not yet announced a release date for “48 Hours in Vegas.”
