Disney Inks Deal for Brittney Griner’s Russia Imprisonment Story
metroweekly.comVariety. The value of the deal is not yet known.“Brittney is an exceptional athlete whose hardship and resilience are nothing short of extraordinary,” Burke Magnus, the president of content at ESPN, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to be working with her to tell the nuances of her story and feel confident that this documentary will captivate audiences everywhere.”Disney has previously tried to partner with other athletes to tell personal stories.In 2020, Disney struck a deal with former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick to talk about his journey from playing for the San Francisco 49ers to becoming an activist speaking out for Black lives and protesting police brutality.
That deal called for a documentary series by ESPN Films, in addition to scripted and unscripted stories focusing on race, social injustice, and the quest for equity, with the intent of showcasing directors and producers of color.
The documentary focusing on Griner’s life will examine the circumstances, including pay scale, that led to her playing outside of the United States in the off-season, her detainment, release, and subsequent advocacy for the release of others who have been wrongfully detained overseas.The documentary will utilize “exclusive footage, recordings, and letters to and from Griner during her time in prison,” according to Variety. “The last two years have been the most harrowing, transformative and illuminating period of my life, and I am grateful to be in a place now to share my story with the world,” Griner said in a statement.
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