In a time of upheaval and drastic change looming on the horizon for the NFL, the MMQB delivered another reminder that it cannot hide the concussion problem that has threatened to gnaw at the fabric of the billion dollar corporation. The MMQB premiered the trailer for the upcoming sports biopic, Concussion, starring Will Smith as Dr. Bennet Omalu – the first doctor to stumble upon the brain trauma suffered by football players.
Omalu, a Nigerian-born doctor, conducted multiple autopsies of Steelers Hall of Fame players, including Mike Webster, who was the first player Omalu found to have brain trauma. Upon studying the last months of Webster ‘s life and hearing about the sudden change in his demeanor, Omalu hypothesis whether the change was attributed to head injury.
The trailer shows off Will Smith in action as Dr. Omalu with a convincing Nigerian accent. He takes on the system that has endless resources and threatens to destroy his life. But the Doctor moves forward with his mission to bring this subject to light and save future lives. Alec Baldwin‘s character states, “you turned on the lights and gave their biggest bogeyman a name,” but Omalu’s main objective is to “tell the truth.” The full trailer can be seen below. Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Beyond the Lights), Adewale Akinnoye-Agbaje (Thor), Stephen Moyer (True Blood) and Albert Brooks (This is 40) co-star.
Will Smith, who recently completed work in DC Comics Suicide Squad, takes up the mantle in this biopic. This isn’t the first time Smith has worked in biopic – he was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in Michael Mann’s Ali (2001). Smith has multiple projects on deck, including two Bad Boys sequels, Collateral Beauty and The American Can, both of which are in pre-preduction.
Peter Landesman (Parkland) wrote and directed the film. Director Ridley Scott will serve as producer along with Elizabeth Cantillion, Giannina Facio, Larry Shuman and David Wolthoff.
Concussion will hit theatres Christmas Day.
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