Belson writes: "When Sony Pictures Entertainment decided to make a movie focusing on the death and dementia professional football players have endured from repeated hits to the head - and the N.F.L.'s efforts toward a cover-up - it signed Will Smith to star as one of the first scientists to disclose the problem. It named the film bluntly, 'Concussion.'"
In the movie 'Concussion,' Will Smith portrays Bennet Omalu, whose work helped diagnose the disease known as C.T.E. in football players. (photo: Sony Pictures)
Sony Altered 'Concussion' Film to Prevent NFL Protests, Hacked Emails Show
05 September 15
hen Sony Pictures Entertainment decided to make a movie focusing on the death and dementia professional football players have endured from repeated hits to the head — and the N.F.L.’s efforts toward a cover-up — it signed Will Smith to star as one of the first scientists to disclose the problem. It named the film bluntly, “Concussion.”
In the end even Sony, which unlike most other major studios in Hollywood has no significant business ties to the N.F.L., found itself softening some points it might have made against the multibillion-dollar sports enterprise that controls the nation’s most-watched game.
In dozens of studio emails unearthed by hackers, Sony executives; the director, Peter Landesman; and representatives of Mr. Smith discussed how to avoid antagonizing the N.F.L. by altering the script and marketing the film more as a whistle-blower story, rather than a condemnation of football or the league.
|
THE NEW STREAMLINED RSN LOGIN PROCESS: Register once, then login and you are ready to comment. All you need is a Username and a Password of your choosing and you are free to comment whenever you like! Welcome to the Reader Supported News community. |
