Lee Daniels Muzzled - P 2013
Getty ImagesLee Daniels has signed on to direct The Brian Banks Story, a film based on the true story of an All-American high school football player who was accused of rape and spent five years in prison before his conviction was overturned.
The project, which is currently out to writers, will be produced by Amy Baer and executive produced by Justin Brooks and Neil Strum.
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Oscar-nominated Daniels most recently helmed Lee Daniels’ The Butler, which earned more than $167 million worldwide.
Banks, who was profiled on 60 Minutes, was a high school football player who was committed to USC when he was falsely accused of rape. He maintained his innocence, but a hasty plea bargain resulted in him serving more than five years in prison and having to register as a sex offender. His conviction was overturned in 2012, and, after a 10-year hiatus, he returned to football and joined the Atlanta Falcons in April 2013.
“Lee is a filmmaker who looks at challenging circumstances with honesty, compassion and hope,” says Baer. “He has an emotional connection to Brian’s story that I’m certain will result in a powerful and redemptive film. I’m thrilled to be partnered with him.”
