As the House of Mouse-owned ESPN Films is currently developing a documentary series focused on the San Francisco 49ers quarterback turned civil-rights activist, Colin Kaepernick has signed a first-look deal with Disney via his Ra Vision Media banner, according to Variety.
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The new deal will see Kaepernick’s Ra Vision and Disney work together to focus on scripted and unscripted series that explore the topics of race, social injustice and the quest for equity and will showcase directors and producers of color, extending across the House of Mouse’s ESPN, Hulu, Pixar and new ESPN venture The Undefeated.
“I am excited to announce this historic partnership with Disney across all of its platforms to elevate Black and Brown directors, creators, storytellers, and producers, and to inspire the youth with compelling and authentic perspectives,” Kaepernick said in a prepared statement. “I look forward to sharing the docuseries on my life story, in addition to many other culturally impactful projects we are developing.”
The upcoming docuseries focused on the former NFL quarterback himself will feature a combination of never-before-seen archived material and new interviews exploring Kaepernick’s recent years since his apparent blacklisting from the league. Jemele Hill, The Atlantic journalist and former ESPN analyst Jemele Hill has been chosen by Kaepernick to produce the series, while ESPN execs Libby Geist, Kevin Merida and Connor Schell are set to executive produce the project for the network.
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“Colin has had a singular path as both an athlete and an activist, and, as the nation continues to confront racism and social injustice, it feels particularly relevant to hear Colin’s voice on his evolution and motivations,” Jimmy Piatro, ESPN’s president, said in a statement.
ESPN’s The Undefeated is looking to partner with the 32-year-old activist to “elevate important stories of lives too often unseen and to deliver them to a vast audience across The Walt Disney Company,” according to Kevin Merida, senior vice president and editor-in-chief.
(Photo by Paul Marotta/Getty Images)
