The studio wanted to release it in 1997 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Robinson 's breaking of the color barrier .
The studio courted Denzel Washington to star , but the project fell apart in 1996 over creative differences .
The studio wanted to release it in 1997 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Robinson 's breaking of the color barrier , and courted Denzel Washington to star , but the project fell apart in 1996 over creative differences .