Warner Bros. is developing a movie centered around Kobe Bryant's entry into the NBA. The film, titled "With the 8th Pick," will dramatize the behind-the-scenes events of the 1996 NBA Draft. The spec script was penned by Alex Sohn and Gavin Johannsen. The project is being described as "Social Network" meets "Air" meets "Moneyball" with a thriller twist.

The story unfolds in the two weeks leading up to the 1996 NBA Draft. It is told from the perspective of New Jersey Nets' General Manager John Nash and newly-appointed head coach John Calipari, exploring their pursuit of Kobe Bryant as Calipari's inaugural NBA draft selection. The Nets were eager to draft Bryant, but were financially strained, and Bryant was already a devoted Lakers fan. His Adidas sneaker deal would have been far more lucrative in Los Angeles than in New Jersey. Ultimately, the Nets passed on Bryant.

Bryant was selected thirteenth overall by the Charlotte Hornets and immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for veteran center Vlade Divac. This decision shifted the trajectory of Bryant's life and the Lakers franchise.

The film will feature Kobe, along with his father, Joe "Jellybean" Bryant. It is still early in development, and no cast or director has been announced. Tim and Trevor White (producers of "King Richard") are attached to produce, along with Ryan Stowell and Gotham Chopra from Religion of Sports, who previously directed the 2015 documentary "Kobe Bryant's Muse".

While it's still early in the production phase, the focus on Kobe Bryant has already sparked conversations about who could potentially portray the basketball legend on screen. While no official casting announcements have been made, several names have been suggested over the years for a potential Kobe Bryant biopic.

Here are some actors who have been mentioned in fan discussions and media speculation as potential candidates to play Kobe Bryant:

• Michael B. Jordan: He is a popular choice due to his resemblance to Kobe, his acting ability, and his previous experience playing a basketball player.
• Shameik Moore: Known for his role in "Dope," Moore is a younger actor who could potentially capture Kobe's early years in the NBA.
• Stephan James: Having played Jesse Owens in "Race," James has experience portraying real-life athletes and possesses the physicality for the role.

Other actors who have been suggested include Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, John Boyega, Trevante Rhodes, Aldis Hodge, LaKeith Stanfield, Idris Elba, Sterling K. Brown, Anthony Mackie, Daniel Kaluuya, Donald Glover, Mahershala Ali, Jamie Foxx, Jonathan Majors, Winston Duke, Oscar Isaac, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Jai White.

Ultimately, the choice of actor will depend on various factors, including physical resemblance, acting ability, and the specific age range the film intends to cover. The film "With the 8th Pick" is not a conventional biopic and will focus on Bryant's draft day.