CINCINNATI — Pete Rose may not be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame yet — much to the displeasure of many — but he may be headed for the big screen.
Actor Mark Wahlberg announced on a podcast that he's working on a movie about the Cincinnati Reds legend and MLB all-time hit king, who died in September 2024.
Wahlberg talked about the film on an April 9 episode of the "Throwbacks" podcast, hosted by Matt Leinart and Jerry Ferrara.
"We're talking about doing Pete Rose, right now," Wahlberg said on the podcast.
Watch: We spoke with Film Cincinnati and the last person to interview Rose before his death
The Boston-born actor has done several sports-related movies, including "Invincible" and "The Fighter."
He said the biopic on Charlie Hustle would follow Rose's life when he's older, as well as his second stint in Cincinnati as a player and manager from 1984-1986. Rose managed the Reds after he retired from playing through the 1989 season.
Wahlberg, who has produced several films he's acted in, such as "Lone Survivor," "Deepwater Horizon" and more, said that a script has been written for the movie. He did not say if he planned on acting in the film or who he envisions playing Rose in the movie.
"We've been actively developing that right now and speaking to filmmakers, so we've got a script," Wahlberg said.
It's also unclear if the movie about the Cincinnati native would actually be filmed in the Queen City.
Cincinnati has been a popular filming city for the past few decades, with recent movies like "The Bikeriders," "Superman" and others filming in the area. A project believed to be the "Superman" sequel, "Man of Tomorrow," is expected to film in Cincinnati soon.
The Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit database currently does not have any listings with Rose's name or Wahlberg's.
Reds fans are already excited about the idea of the project.
"I mean, that's amazing. Pete Rose, one of the best of all time, the Hit King. How can you not be excited about that?" Reds fan Jack Von Kohorn said.
Von Kohorn said his great-great uncle Al Lakeman was a catcher for the Reds from 1942-1947.
"I'd hope to see just an honest story about (Rose's) managing days and his playing days," Von Kohorn said. "We all know that he bet on baseball, but he bet for his team to win, which is totally different than betting on your team to lose, right?"
We reached out to Film Cincinnati on Monday following Wahlberg's comments. President and CEO Kristen Schlotman said the podcast was the first time they'd heard of the project.
Should the movie move forward, Schlotman said she hopes it's filmed, at least in part, in Cincinnati. She said she reached out to Wahlberg's production company with information about Ohio's Motion Picture Tax Credit to laud the financial incentive of filming in the area.
And Wahlberg isn't the only one with a project about Rose in development. Cincinnati native and former sports broadcaster John Condit and his production company, Cradle Concepts, LLC, are set to release a documentary film next year.
Condit was the last person to interview Rose, sitting down with the baseball legend just 10 days before his death.
"It really became interesting when President Trump began to pressure baseball to reinstate (Rose). And he gets reinstated, and now he could get back into the Hall of Fame," Condit said. "So, it gets really interesting now. Does he get in or not?"
Condit said that vote will happen in December of 2027.
"I think there's going to be a drumbeat," Condit said. "It's going to start out quiet, but it's going to get louder and louder as we get into 2027... that's what my film is going to be about.
Condit said he's excited about the prospect of a major motion picture about Rose's life — especially if Wahlberg is involved. He said the film would be "dynamic."
"I think Mark Wahlberg is amazing," Condit said. "If Wahlberg's interested, millions of baseball fans are going to be interested because it's a story like none other."
