Rich Franklin 123″ src=”http://www.cagepotato.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Rich-Franklin-123.jpg” alt=” width=”400″ height=”300″ />
(“Is this too much?”)

According to a release from Authentic Sports Management, Eric Eisner’s Double E Pictures has optioned the film rights for former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin’s life story.

Eisner has hired screenwriter David Hollander (The Cleaner; The Guardian) to pen the script and Sean Sorensen from Motion Theory to produce the film that will chronicle Franklin’s journey from math teacher and self-taught mixed martial artist to UFC middleweight champion.

“I’m happy to be in business with Sean and Motion Theory, and look forward to working with David to capture the story of Rich’s remarkable life,” Eisner said. “This is a truly inspirational story that we are excited to tell.”

The son of former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, Eric Eisner is perhaps best known as the producer of the critically acclaimed film Hamlet 2. He is the founder of the now defunct website Romp.com and worked in the hockey operations department of the Anaheim Ducks where he helped renegotiate the team’s radio and television contracts. He also worked for a scout for the organization.

Franklin, who will join fellow Cincinnati native Matt Hamill and fellow UFC fighters Anderson Silva and Jose Aldo in having his life story told on the big screen, says he is looking forward to the finished product.

“I’m excited to see the story of my career as a fighter brought to the screen, and I feel confident that the team assembled will do a great job in telling this story,” Franklin said.

Hollander feels that the movie will speak to not only fans of MMA, but also to fans of a great story.

“Rich’s story has that rare combination of qualities that make for a great sports film; human drama, great obstacle and seemingly insurmountable odds,” said Hollander. “The fact that all of this is set against the formation of an exploding and dangerous sport and that Rich basically defined what a UFC champion could be make it uniquely interesting to write.”

Timelines for the production and release of the film were not disclosed, but casting is expected to begin soon. Hopefully “Ace” isn’t playing himself. Sorry, Rich. We love you dude, but we all saw Cyborg Soldier.