A biopic about legendary German football player and coach Franz Beckenbauer, titled Der Kaiser, has entered production in Prague. The project, directed by Tim Trageser (The Magic Kids: Three Unlikely Heroes, Help, I Shrunk My Parents) and penned by Martin Rauhaus (the TV series Tatort and Allmen), will follow the champion and two-time Golden Ball recipient fighting against the rigid structures and outdated rules in football, in order to do things his way. He will also be shown to conduct his private life as he wishes, outside of the moral constraints and expectations of the time. The film will culminate in the victory of the German national team, which he managed, in the 1990 World Cup.

Beckenbauer will be played by Klaus Steinbacher (the TV series Das Boot), with other key roles portrayed by Ferdinand Hofer, Teresa Rizos, Stefan Murr, Oliver Konietzny, Bettina Mittendorfer, Heinz-Josef Braun, Christine Eixenberger and Sina Tkotsch. Eckhard Jansen is attached as the project’s director of photography.

Commenting on the project, Frank Jastfelder, of Sky Original, said: “Franz Beckenbauer made history by winning the World Cup as a player and as a coach. But his brilliant performances off the soccer field also made him a legend. Together with Bavaria Fiction, we are now bringing the unique icon’s career from the 1960s to the great World Cup final in Rome in 1990 to vibrant life.”

Marcus Ammon, Bavaria Fiction’s managing director of content, added: “Kaiser, icon, world champion: Franz Beckenbauer fascinates on and off the football pitch. Even after more than 30 years, it is unforgettable how he walks alone across the lawn of the Olympic Stadium after the final victory in Rome amidst the hustle and bustle around him. A true goosebump moment. I am all the more pleased that we are now working with Sky and a top-class team in front of and behind the camera to trace the multi-faceted life of Franz Beckenbauer from his footballing beginnings to winning the World Cup in 1990 – true to his motto: ‘Let’s have a look and see.’”

Der Kaiser is being produced by Germany’s Bavaria Fiction on behalf of Sky Studios. The project was developed by Markus Zimmer, with Stephan Bechtle and Frank Jastfelder serving as the executive producers for Bavaria Fiction and Sky, respectively. It will air at the end of 2022. NBCUniversal Global Distribution is in charge of its international distribution on behalf of Sky Studios.