If you haven’t heard by now, there is a Hollywood biopic based on the astounding career trajectory of Leicester’s (at least for now) Jamie Vardy in the works.
The 29-year-old striker’s rise from non-league to England international and Premier League winner has caught the eye of screenwriter Adrian Butchart, who spent time in the East Midlands while the Foxes were making their history-making title charge.
It’s looking like Vinnie Jones will be cast as notorious and ostrich-loathing ex-manager Nigel Pearson, but as far as we know the leading role is still up for grabs.
Zac Efron and One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson have reportedly emerged as hot favourites to step into Vardy’s now ridiculously accomplished boots, but JOE can reveal that someone else has thrown their hat in the ring: Jimmy Bullard.
Oh yes, the former Wigan Athletic and Hull City midfielder has turned his hand to acting in a new advert for Carling. The summer promotion teams Bullard with Paul Ince to spoof an iconic scene from The Godfather.Â
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpaLVeFnC9M
The 37-year-old funny man is a staunch admirer of Vinnie Jones’ transition from footballing hardman to big screen star, and he’s touting himself for a place alongside him in the as-yet unnamed Vardy movie.
“I know you might laugh but yeah I’d love to get into acting,” he told JOE. “Can you put it out there for me – I’m not joking.
“I reckon I’d be great for that. Officially, I don’t think there’s another candidate in the hat that could do it as well as me.
“I’m a very good football player, I’m very good-looking in front of a camera, and I’m not too pricey because I’m looking for acting roles.
“I’ll shave my barnet off; I come from non-league football – exactly like he did. I can’t believe I’ve not been mentioned.”
“If Vinnie Jones has been cast as Nigel Pearson then that would be perfect.”
Obvious age issues aside, he makes a pretty convincing case, it must be said. Bullard assured us that nobody in the world of football has made a stamp on Hollywood quite like Jones, who went on to star in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch after calling time on his colourful playing career.
He did identify a potential stumbling block to following in his footsteps, however. “I’d love to have half the career that Vinnie’s had. The problem is, until you do it you don’t realise how difficult it is with lines and stuff. I’m shocking at remembering them.”
While we had Bullard drawn on the subject of Jamie Vardy, we had to get his verdict on England’s Euro 2016 chances. In his own words, he’s a massive England fan, and thinks Roy Hodgson’s young lions can go all the way in France.
“Do I think we have a chance of winning it? I think we have,” he confidently tells us. “We’re good at the back: I love our full-back Walker, who plays high and wide – we’ve not had that for a long time.
“Dele Alli is, what, 20? You see him in the Premier League and I love that bit of attitude. It’s something we need more of.
“And up front I don’t think any team has two more in-form strikers than Vardy and Kane. You’ve got Rashford to come in off the bench. You’ve got Sterling, Sturridge – it’s a powerful team.
“I think with some of our previous teams, good as they were, expectation has been too much. But this team are hungry so and so’s. You can see it on the pitch and in interviews. They’re sort of like the new kids on the block. When they’re on the pitch they want to go and do it.”
If England were to triumph in the tournament it would undoubtedly make the Jamie Vardy movie an even more tantalising project. Hollywood take note: Jimmy Bullard is available and waiting for your call.
Fastest finger first! Football legend Jimmy Bullard has teamed up with Carling to celebrate Carling’s Pay Per Inch promotion. Make sure your finger’s on the pulse before anyone else and bag yourself a TV for the price of its screen size at www.PayPerInchTV.com. Follow @Carling on Twitter for more information.
