‘Little Death’ Helmer Jack Begert Teams With David Permut For Biopic On LSD-Fueled No-Hitting MLB Pitcher Dock Ellis

EXCLUSIVE: After developing a biopic on famed MLB pitcher Dock Ellis for at least a decade, Oscar-nominated producer David Permut (Hacksaw Ridge) is gaining traction, having set Sundance prize-winner Jack Begert (Little Death) to direct from his own script. Dock will chronicle Ellis’ unconventional career, outspoken advocacy for Black players in the league, and his legendary no-hitter while under the influence of LSD. Fresh off A24 hit The Invite, Permut is producing under his Permut Presentations banner, alongside Joel Reilly and Patrick Peterson of Undisputed Pictures. Alex Astrachan at Permut Presentations will co-produce alongside Joey Poach, whose spec is the basis for the project. Dreamscape Entertainment’s Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz are exec producing, with Jasper Graham serving as consulting producer. O’Shea Jackson, Jr. was formerly attached to star but has exited the project; new casting talks are underway. Watch on Deadline One of baseball’s most extraordinary and unconventional figures, Dock Ellis pitched his drug-fueled no-hitter against the San Diego Padres on June 12, 1970, while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates. In a career spanning from 1968 to 1979, he also played for the New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers and New York Mets. Beyond the no-hitter — the kind of story movies are made of — Ellis was known for his flamboyant personality and political outspokenness, particularly on issues of race in baseball. He spoke openly about his struggles with substance abuse after retiring, and became a drug counselor before his death in 2008. Begert comes to Dock on the heels of feature debut Little Death, a dark comedy produced by Darren Aronofsky that won the NEXT Innovator Award in its 2024 premiere at Sundance. The filmmaker came up directing music videos for artists like Kendrick Lamar, Vince Staples and Dominic Fike, winning a Grammy last year for Best Music Video for Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” He is repped by UTA and Zachary Stein at Granderson Des Rochers. Permut teamed with director Olivia Wilde on The Invite, a triumph of an adult drama, which landed at A24 in a bidding war following its premiere to critical acclaim at Sundance, going on to gross over $51M worldwide. Wilde starred opposite Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton in the English-language remake of Cesc Gay’s Spanish film The People Upstairs. Up next for Permut is the Apple disability rights drama Being Heumann from CODA Oscar winner Sian Heder, which is set to open the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 10. The producer is repped by John Tishbi at Pearlman & Tishbi, LLC.