Spike Lee is directing a documentary series for ESPN Films about Colin Kaepernick.
The project has started production, according to a press release from ESPN. The Do the Right Thing director will use interviews as well as never-before-seen footage from the NFL star’s personal archive to tell a first-person account from Kaepernick.
The untitled project was first announced last year as part of The Walt Disney Company’s overall first-look deal with Kaepernick’s production arm Ra Vision Media.
Lee’s production company 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks and sports journalist Jemele Hill will also be producers on the project, with ESPN Films executive producing.
Related Story: Black Conservatives Call Colin Kaepernick Netflix Series a ‘Threat’ to Black Men
Kaepernick shared the news about the docuseries on Twitter, writing: “I’m grateful to be able to work with the legend Spike Lee on my docu-series. Thank you @jemelehill for being a part of our incredible team. It’s time for the narrative to be corrected.”
The quarterback became a free agent after he touched off controversy in 2016, by taking a knee during the national anthem at NFL games to protest police violence and systemic racism. He has not played in the league since the 2016-2017 season.
The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback settled a lawsuit with the NFL in February 2019, after alleging collusion by team owners to keep him out of the league.
The Super Bowl Champion and social justice activist recently partnered with filmmaker Ava DuVernay for the six-episode scripted drama series titled Colin in Black & White, which started streaming on Netflix in October 2021. The series chronicles Kaepernick’s early years as a Black child adopted into a white family.
The limited series stars Jaden Michael (Vampires vs. the Bronx) as a young Kaepernick and Hollywood veterans Mary-Louise Parker and Nick Offerman as his adoptive parents Rick and Teresa. the project received positive reviews from critics and has a 79 percent score out of 100 on Rotten Tomatoes.
As for Lee, he previously worked with ESPN Films for the 2009 documentary film Kobe Doin’ Work. The docufilm centered around Kobe Bryant’s preparation before, during and after a single game during the 2007-2008 Los Angeles Lakers season. Bryant allowed Lee and 30 cameras to follow him for a full day.
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