Big time Hollywood director Lee Daniels, who is best known for the flicks The Butler and Monster’s Ball, will take on a project that focuses on the life of former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Brian Banks.
If you’re not familiar with Banks’ story, shame on you.
The former top recruit of the USC Trojans back in 2002 was wrongfully accussed and later pled out to rape charges at the direction of his lawyer. Banks spent over five years in prison for a crime that he did not commit. Once released, Banks had to register as a sex offender and was ordered to serve five years of parole. With the help of the California Innocence Project, Banks had his conviction overturned in 2012.
Last year, the former All-American high school football player attempted to resume his career. He made four appearances with the Falcons in the preseason before being let go.
Banks has since become an advocate for those who believe they’ve been wrongfully convicted and is working directly with the organization that helped him through his darkest days, the California Innocence Project
I am honored to say Ive taken an amazing position w/ the front office of the @nfl !God is good! Im moving to #newyork pic.twitter.com/1yqc1tEBWK
— b r i a n b a n k s (@BrianBanksFREE) August 1, 2014
Banks, now an executive in the National Football League, will see his life unfold on the big screen in a film that will be directed by one of Hollywood’s greats, Lee Daniels (via TheWrap.com).
Oscar-nominated director Lee Daniels has signed on to develop and direct “The Brian Banks Story” for Gidden Media, it was announced Wednesday by producer Amy Baer.
The project, currently out to writers, will be executive produced by Justin Brooks and Neil Strum.
Daniels is a two-time Oscar nominee for the films Precious and The Butler. As we mentioned before, he also directed Monster’s Ball, which won Halle Berry an Oscar for best actress. For him to take over this project, it has to be an amazing vote of confidence in Banks’ direction. The former Falcons’ linebacker had this to say about the project.
All I ever wanted was to prove my innocence,” said Banks. “Telling my story in the form of a feature film is beyond my wildest dreams. Having Lee Daniels come on board to direct the film is so exciting, and such an honor.
While Banks story tells us exactly what is wrong with the American justice system, it also shows us what is right about the human spirit and passion that people have for their lives and others surrounding them.
Check out this 60 Minutes segment on Brian Banks for more information about his amazing story.
H/T to Eric Edholm over at Yahoo! for some of the information provided in this story.
Photo: NBC.com