Lions Gate Films has made a development deal for a feature film to be loosely based on the life of Danny “Kid Delicious” Basavich. Basavich is currently ranked No. 1 on the Billiards Digest Power Index. The deal was announced May 9 by Peter Block, Lions Gate President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions and Michael Paseornek, President of Production and Development.

The deal includes right to the recent Sports Illustrated article “The Amazing Adventures of Kid Delicious and Bristol Bob,” written by L. Jon Wertheim, in addition to a life-rights and consulting agreement with Basavich and his former road partner “Bristol” Bob Begey. The first draft of the screenplay will be written by Wertheim, who is also writing a book based on Basavich, to be published by Houghton Mifflin publishers.

“Kid Delicious is a true American success story, and we are thrilled to be developing a film based on his incredible journey from being one of the most creative and successful pool hustlers to being the top-ranked professional billiards player in the country,” Block said.