There’s already a series set to dramatize the L.A. Lakers in the works, and now a docuseries is getting in on the action as well. Perhaps realizing they want their own The Last Dance, Hulu has ordered an “expansive docuseries” that focuses on the Los Angeles Lakers franchise. The series comes from Lakers’ CEO and controlling owner Jeanie Buss, Lakers senior executive Linda Rambis, and director Antoine Fuqua.

Hulu made the announcement today, revealing that the nine-part original series – set to premiere in 2022 – “details the past four decades of the Lakers, and contains colorful and emotional new interviews from over 35 people within the organization, including the Buss family, legendary coaches Pat Riley and Phil Jackson, and NBA Hall of Famers Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and team captain Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, among numerous other current and former players. Also featured are interviews with a range of high-profile fans and a treasure trove of archival footage featuring never-before-seen interviews with the Lakers late owner, Jerry Buss.”

Here’s some more info:

Starting from his acquisition of the team in 1979, the docuseries captures Jerry Buss’ remarkable journey to build, sustain and pass on a family-run sports empire. The project will offer a fresh and revealing look inside the legendary “Showtime” era that saw the team win five NBA titles and turned the Forum into Hollywood’s hottest ticket throughout the 1980s. The series also details the high-stakes drama off the court and incredible successes of the Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal-led championship teams, as well as the cultural impact of the Lakers franchise and rebirth of the team, culminating with the 2020 NBA championship led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis. At the heart is a story about sports, business and, most of all, family – and how those competing forces must be harnessed to achieve greatness.

The series comes from director Antoine Fuqua in association with Fuqua Films, as well as Haven Entertainment and Los Angeles Media Fund. Lakers CEO and controlling owner Jeanie Buss and Lakers senior executive Linda Rambis are involved as well, which immediately makes me a little suspicious. Having the Lakers’ controlling owner directly involved with the docuseries may help with access, but it could also lead any potentially negative material to be quashed before it ever makes it to air.

“When Dr. Buss bought the Lakers in 1979, he sat alone at center court of the Forum and thought of all the possibilities. But even in his wildest dreams, my father could not have imagined what the next decades would bring for our organization, our league and our city of Los Angeles. I am thrilled that the true story of the Lakers will finally be shared with the world – and that we are in such capable hands with Hulu and Antoine, a director whose storytelling I’ve admired for years,” said Jeanie Buss.

“We are proud to bring this docuseries to the world and shed light on the legendary history of the Lakers,” added Fuqua. “This expansive look into one of the greatest sports franchises of all time is a project we all feel deeply passionate about.”

And Belisa Balaban, VP, Original Documentaries, Hulu, said: “The Los Angeles Lakers are one of sports’ most illustrious franchises. Theirs is a history of epic highs and tragic lows, and generations of legendary players and teams who have made a profound impact, not just on the sports world, but on the culture. We are honored to join Jeanie, Antoine and the whole creative team to bring Hulu viewers the very real inside look at the remarkable story of the rise and fall, and rise again of the Lakers.”

Buss and Fuqua will executive produce the series alongside Haven Entertainment’s Kevin Mann, Michael Mann, and Brendan Bragg, Los Angeles Media Fund’s (LAMF) Jeffrey Soros, and Simon Horsman. The Lakers docuseries is one of two different Lakers-related projects on the way. HBO is making a series about the 1980s Lakers that features Adrien Brody as Pat Riley, Bo Burnham as Larry Bird, Jason Segel as Paul Westhead, and newcomer Quincy Isaiah as Earvin “Magic” Johnson.

The post Hulu Wants Their Own ‘The Last Dance,’ Announces Los Angeles Lakers Docuseries appeared first on /Film.