Greg Kinnear Joins Billy Bob Thornton for "Bad News Bears"

Oct. 2004 - Greg Kinnear ("Godsend") has joined Billy Bob Thornton for Paramount Pictures remake of the classic baseball comedy, "Bad News Bears." Richard Linklater ("School of Rock") will direct the contemporary remake from a script by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa.

The original 1976 "Bad News Bears" starred Walter Matthau as Coach Morris Buttermaker, a grumpy ex-minor league baseball player who takes on the job of coaching a group of misfit Little Leaguers. Billy Bob Thornton will step into the role Matthau made famous. Oscar nominee Greg Kinnear will co-star and casting is underway for young actors to make up the Bad News Bears baseball team.

Shooting is expected to begin in November 2004 with the "Bad News Bears" remake hitting theaters in 2005.

SOURCE: Variety