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Albert Brooks lining up to join Will Smith in NFL concussion drama

Albert Brooks is in talks to join Will Smith in Sony's untitled NFL concussion drama.
(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)
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Albert Brooks is stepping up to the line of scrimmage to join Will Smith and Alec Baldwin in Sony’s untitled NFL concussion movie, The Times has confirmed.

Variety first reported the news.

Written and directed by Peter Landesman (“Parkland”), the drama is based on Jeanne Marie Laskas’ 2009 GQ article “Game Brain.” The article tells the story of Dr. Bennet Omalu (Smith), the forensic neuropathologist who discovered, named and raised awareness of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain syndrome that has afflicted professional football players such as Mike Webster, Chris Henry and Junior Seau.

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Caused by mild, repetitive brain trauma, CTE has been linked to an array of symptoms including mood swings, depression, insomnia, memory problems and dementia.

Landesman’s film is said to be a whistle-blower tale along the lines of Michael Mann’s tobacco industry movie “The Insider.” Ridley Scott, Giannina Facio and Michael Schaefer of Scott Free are producing with David Wolthoff and Larry Shuman of the Shuman Company.

The NFL’s brain-injury crisis has previously been explored in the nonfiction realm via Steve James’ documentary “Head Games” and the “Frontline” special “League of Denial.”

A narrative adaptation of “League,” which is itself based on a book by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru, is also in development, as is former NFL player Matthew A. Cherry’s indie movie “Game Time Decision.”

Brooks last appeared on the big screen in “This Is 40” and “Drive,” earning a Golden Globe nomination for his supporting performance in the latter movie. His other upcoming projects include “A Most Violent Year” and “Finding Dory.”

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