John C. Reilly to play Jerry Buss in HBO’s Showtime Lakers project

HBO has a show in the works on the Showtime Lakers.

John C. Reilly will be playing the role of former Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss, according to a report. Reilly replaces Michael Shannon, who was previously cast in the role but left the project due to creative differences, the report says.

Buss, who died in 2013, bought the Lakers in 1979 and wanted the team to have an up-tempo style of play to attract fans. He had superstars on his team and the plan worked. The Lakers won five championships during that time, became a staple of the Los Angeles cultural fabric and an international sports brand.

The show is based off Jeff Pearlman’s book about the Showtime Lakers Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s.