Actor LaKeith Stanfield has joined the cast of Lionsgate’s upcoming film ‘48 Hours in Vegas’, where he will portray NBA legend Dennis Rodman. The project draws from one of the most talked-about episodes in basketball history — Rodman’s infamous mid-season trip to Las Vegas during the 1998 NBA Finals.

According to a PTI report, the film will be directed by Rick Famuyiwa, who has also co-written the screenplay with Jordan VanDina. The movie is inspired by the untold story behind Rodman’s brief but headline-grabbing break from the Chicago Bulls at a crucial moment in the championship run.

The project was earlier associated with actor Jonathan Majors, who was initially attached to the film but later exited the venture. With Stanfield now stepping into the lead role, the film has gained renewed attention, given the actor’s reputation for delivering layered and unconventional performances.

‘48 Hours in Vegas’ is being produced by Lord Miller’s Phil Lord, Chris Miller, and Aditya Sood. The producers are known for backing distinctive storytelling, and the film is expected to blend sports drama with the larger-than-life personality that defined Rodman both on and off the court.

Dennis Rodman remains one of the most enigmatic figures in NBA history — a five-time champion known as much for his defensive brilliance and rebounding as for his flamboyant lifestyle and media magnetism. The Las Vegas episode, which occurred during the Bulls’ 1998 title run, has long been part of basketball folklore, often cited as a symbol of Rodman’s unconventional approach to fame and pressure.

With Stanfield taking on the role, ‘48 Hours in Vegas’ aims to offer audiences a deeper look at a defining moment in sports culture, blending behind-the-scenes drama with the spectacle that surrounded one of the NBA’s most polarising stars.