It has taken quite a while, but Hollywood has finally determined that the life story of the greatest drag racer of all time is worthy of a general release motion picture.

The story of "Big Daddy" Don Garlits is on its way.

Although the final title of the movie has yet to be decided, in an exclusive interview at his International Drag Racing Museum in Ocala, Fla., this past week, Garlits revealed a script has already been approved by him and his wife, Pat, and that the next step is for a director to be chosen to take on the project.

"This movie will be a major motion picture and we expect it will be released in 2005," said Garlits, who was chosen the No. 1 racer on the NHRA's List of the 50 Greatest Drivers of All Time three years ago. "There may be some changes in the time sequences of some of the events that happened and the locations may be different than where certain things took place but the movie will be very accurate."

Garlits has already been signed by the producers to provide many of the vehicles which will be used in production, including a number of his vintage Top Fuel dragsters bearing the famous "Swamp Rat" nickname. He will also be filling the role of stunt driver for many of the action sequences during filming, which is due to begin in early 2004.

When asked if his racing days may be over, the legendary driver who was responsible for a long list of drag racing innovations seemed decisive in his response. "I don't think I'll be racing again. I really got beaten up over the past two years trying to drive those cars and I'm not a young man anymore. I think that by the time the movie is finished, I won't be going back into the driver's seat."

Last year, Garlits competed at a handful of NHRA national events in his infamous "Swamp Rat XXXIV" dragster. He was faced with a string of disappointing weekends, perhaps the most disheartening of which was his failure to qualify for the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, the sport's most prestigious event. He has tallied eight wins at the "Big Go," the most recent in 1986.

With a new book on his many memorable tales expected to be released in the spring of 2004, the upcoming motion picture, and a full-time schedule of activities centered at his museum complex year round, plus with his 72nd birthday looming in January, Big Daddy will be anything but idle now that his driving career seems to be over.

"I know I won't be bored", he says. "There's always something new to work on every day."

Bill Stephens covers the NHRA for ESPN and ESPN.com.