Things are really starting to fall into place for Brian Banks.
He just landed a job in the NFL’s front office over the weekend, and now according to The Wrap, Oscar nominated director, Lee Daniels will develop and direct a movie about his life.
Banks was star headed to USC in 2002 before he was wrongfully convicted and served five-years for rape.
The subject of a 2012 “60 Minutes” piece, “The Brian Banks Story” tells the harrowing tale of Brian Banks, an All-American high school football player who had committed to USC’s prestigious football program in 2002. His life was upended when a classmate falsely accused him of rape. Banks maintained his innocence, but a hasty plea-bargain resulted in Brian serving over five years and two months in prison, five years on parole and registering as a sex offender.With the help of the California Innocence Project, Banks’ conviction was overturned in 2012. He returned to the gridiron after a 10-year hiatus, playing UFL football and going through six NFL tryouts before finally making the Atlanta Falcons’ 75-man roster in April 2013. Although he only played in four preseason games, Banks fulfilled his lifelong dream and is now a motivational speaker and an activist and spokesperson for the California Innocence Project.
Bank of course is ecstatic about the development.
“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.”“Lee is a filmmaker who looks at challenging circumstances with honesty, compassion, and hope. 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,” added Baer.
Daniels received Oscar nominations for directing and producing the 2009 hit “Precious. He also directed the recent hit, “The Butler,” Daniels’ first film “Monster’s Ball” allowed Halle Berry to win an Academy Award for best actress.