Academy-award winning actor Robert De Niro is set to portray legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi in the upcoming TV-movie Lombardi. The biopic is being developed by ESPN Films, Andell Entertainment and the NFL.

“There are few actors who could accurately portray the fire, passion and grit of Lombardi, and we’re thrilled to have Robert De Niro on our team,” said NFL VP of Programming Charles Coplin. “With the addition of De Niro, Eric and Tribeca Prods., we have a deep bench to produce a film worthy of the legendary coach and American icon.”

The project, focuses on Lombardi’s early years with the Packers, starting in 1959 when he was given his first opportunity to be the team’s head coach. At the time, the Packers were the worst team in the NFL; young, talented, and yet undisciplined. From there, he transformed the team into a gridiron powerhouse that went on to win the NFL championships five times.

The story is also likely to highlights the long-standing rivalry that existed between Lombardi and legendary Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry. Both Lombardi and Landry were assistants on the New York Giants team that lost the 1958 NFL Championship game.

De Niro and Jane Rosenthal’s Tribeca Productions is producing along with ESPN Films, Andell, the NFL and Chris Olsen.

“We’ve had an extraordinary relationship with ESPN for five years through the Tribeca Film Festival, and now we’re able to extend that association into production,” Rosenthal said.

Academy Award-winning screenwriter Eric Roth (Forrest Gump) will pen the project, which is slated for release on the weekend between the AFC and NFC Conference Championships and the Super Bowl in 2012.

Is De Niro a good pick for Lombardi? Or vice versa?