You thought Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was only good for basketball and comedic roles in Zucker Bros films? Think again! Roger Murdock himself has written a non-fiction WWII book, and it’ being adapted into a movie that will be directed by Denzel Washington. Take that, Bo Jackson, you slacker.

The book, Brothers in Arms: The Epic Story of the 761st Tank Battalion, WWII’s Forgotten Heroes, is co-written with Anthony Walton and tells the true story of America’s first all-black armored division, who took heavy casualties in the Battle of the Bulge. It’s a really fascinating and rarely-told story, one that is ideal for the screen.

John Sayles wrote a previous draft, but that wasn’t good enough so the guy who wrote Ninja Assassin was brought in. Matthew Sand will be doing the next rewrite, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

You can buy a copy of Brothers in Arms through CHUD by clicking here.