Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Lost, The Bourne Identity) is at it again.
He will play real-life NFL safety Dave Duerson, a three-time Pro Bowl pick who died in 2011 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. At his request, Duerson’s brain was sent to researchers, who determined that the athlete had suffered from the debilitating symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) caused by his football injuries.
Adewale, who is a British-born actor of Nigerian parents, will be teaming up with Will Smith in the studio’s untitled NFL drama about the concussions that occurs with players and the effects that it has on them after their playing days are over.
As reported by Blackfilm.com, The film will be based on Jeanne Marie Laskas‘2009 GQ article “Game Brain.” Smith will play Dr. Bennet Omalu, a real-world forensic neuropathologist whose research has helped bring attention to the issue.
Adewale recently starred in disaster period pic Pompeii and will be seen along with Jamie Foxx in the upcoming Annie remake for Sony. On the small screen, he just signed on to appear in Season 5 of HBO’s Game Of Thrones and soon will return to NBC’s Odyssey as series regular.
Duane Duerson
