Marshawn Lynch has famously avoided the spotlight throughout his years with the Seattle Seahawks, steering clear of reporters at games and practices, and even considering skipping Super Bowl Media Day in January. He is notoriously camera-shy, to the point that his former counterpart in the Hawks’ backfield, fullback Michael Robinson, spoke for him during one Super Bowl media session when Lynch became visibly anxious.

So it may come as a surprise to many NFL fans that Lynch is reportedly making a movie about himself.

Beast Mode works in mysterious ways.

The San Jose Mercury News reported Friday that Lynch will star in the upcoming movie “Family First,” which follows his journey from the ghettos of Oakland to his wild success in the NFL. The biopic reportedly already has a distributor, Relativity Media, and is slated for release by the end of the 2014 calendar year.

Here’s more from the Mercury News:

The project is a coming-of-age film that embarks on a journey through Lynch’s life. It will chronicle his childhood years and his growth as a football player — his triumphs at Oakland Tech, his break into stardom at Cal, his NFL growth capped with a championship this year. But mostly, it will reveal the context of what shaped him. His struggles. His triumphs. His mistakes. His family. And he wants to tell it, even if it means making himself vulnerable to the cameras and critics. “I’m more than ready to play myself,” Lynch said with a laugh. “I got the acting bug when I played a small role in ‘Matt’s Chance’ starring Gary Busey. I definitely want to expand my opportunities after football. I’ve also been on a couple TV shows, so I’m not nervous.”

Who knew his cameo in “Matt’s Chance,” part of which was filmed in Seattle, would lead to a foray into filmmaking?

Marcus Thompson II of the Mercury News reported that Lynch already attended a casting call for the movie in April. Lynch was so excited about the project, Thompson wrote, that he joined some of the actors as they improvised scenes.

The title “Family First” appears to be a take on the name Lynch’s charity, Fam 1st Family Foundation, which aims to help disadvantaged youth in the San Francisco Bay Area.









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Photo: Joshua Trujillo / seattlepi.com Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Image 2 of 15 Marshawn Lynch, left, works with actor Edward Furlong during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at iMusic, a nightclub in downtown Seattle. Marshawn Lynch, left, works with actor Edward Furlong during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at iMusic, a nightclub in downtown Seattle. Photo: Joshua Trujillo / seattlepi.com Image 3 of 15 Marshawn Lynch, left, works with director Nicholas Gyeney during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at iMusic in Seattle. Marshawn Lynch, left, works with director Nicholas Gyeney during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at iMusic in Seattle. Photo: Joshua Trujillo / seattlepi.com Image 4 of 15 Marshawn Lynch waits as other actors get makeup applied during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at iMusic, a nightclub in downtown Seattle. Marshawn Lynch waits as other actors get makeup applied during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at iMusic, a nightclub in downtown Seattle. Photo: Joshua Trujillo / seattlepi.com Image 5 of 15 Image 6 of 15 Marshawn Lynch and actor Edward Furlong prepare for a scene during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at iMusic in Seattle. Marshawn Lynch and actor Edward Furlong prepare for a scene during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at iMusic in Seattle. Photo: Joshua Trujillo / seattlepi.com Image 7 of 15 Marshawn Lynch, left, talks with Nate Riley of studio Mirror Images during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at iMusic, a nightclub in downtown Seattle. Marshawn Lynch, left, talks with Nate Riley of studio Mirror Images during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at iMusic, a nightclub in downtown Seattle. Photo: Joshua Trujillo / seattlepi.com Image 8 of 15 Marshawn Lynch, center, who plays a bodyguard in the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance,' films a scene on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at iMusic, a nightclub in downtown Seattle. Gary Busey, Edward Furlong ("Terminator 2") and Margot Kidder ("Superman") are also appearing in the film. less Marshawn Lynch, center, who plays a bodyguard in the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance,' films a scene on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at iMusic, a nightclub in downtown Seattle. Gary Busey, Edward Furlong ("Terminator ... more Photo: Joshua Trujillo / seattlepi.com Image 9 of 15 Marshawn Lynch, left, works with actor Edward Furlong during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at iMusic in downtown Seattle. Marshawn Lynch, left, works with actor Edward Furlong during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at iMusic in downtown Seattle. Photo: Joshua Trujillo / seattlepi.com Image 10 of 15 Image 11 of 15 Marshawn Lynch works with actor Edward Furlong, right, during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012. Marshawn Lynch works with actor Edward Furlong, right, during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012. Photo: Joshua Trujillo / seattlepi.com Image 12 of 15 Seattle Seahawks player Marshawn Lynch works with actor Edward Furlong, center, during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012. Seattle Seahawks player Marshawn Lynch works with actor Edward Furlong, center, during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012. Photo: Joshua Trujillo / seattlepi.com Image 13 of 15 A scene is shot during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at iMusic, a nightclub in downtown Seattle. Marshawn Lynch, Gary Busey, Edward Furlong ("Terminator 2") and Margot Kidder ("Superman") are appearing in the film. less A scene is shot during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at iMusic, a nightclub in downtown Seattle. Marshawn Lynch, Gary Busey, Edward Furlong ("Terminator 2") and ... more Photo: Joshua Trujillo / seattlepi.com Image 14 of 15 Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch signs autographs for fans during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at iMusic, a nightclub in downtown Seattle. Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch signs autographs for fans during filming of the dark comedy 'Matt's Chance' on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at iMusic, a nightclub in downtown Seattle. Photo: Joshua Trujillo / seattlepi.com Image 15 of 15 Report: Seattle Seahawks star Marshawn Lynch is making a movie about himself 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

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