Will Smith, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Albert Brooks, and Alec Baldwin Join NFL Concussion Drama

Cast comes together for Ridley Scott-produced drama…

‘Parkland’ and ‘Kill the Messenger’ helmer Peter Landesman is set to direct Will Smith (‘Focus,’ ‘After Earth’), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (‘Beyond the Lights,’ ‘Belle’), Albert Brooks (‘A Most Violent Year,’ ‘Drive’), and Alec Baldwin (‘Rock of Ages,’ ’30 Rock’) in an untitled drama about American football concussions.

The drama is based on a 2009 GQ article by Jeanne Marie Laskas that follows Dr. Bennet Omalu (played by Smith), the forensic neuropathologist who single-handedly made the first discovery of Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in a professional football player and brought awareness to the public.

According to reports, the film is envisioned as a whistle-blower tale in the vein of Michael Mann’s tobacco industry flick ‘The Insider.’

Landesman will direct the feature from his own script, with Ridley Scott and Giannina Facio producing along with Shuman Company’s David Wolthoff and Larry Shuman.