Brian Banks Life Story To Be Directed by Academy Award Nominee Lee Daniels

Brian Banks life story is being made into a film, with an Academy Award nominated director at the helm. Banks was a high school football star headed to USC in 2002 before serving five-years in jail after being wrongfully convicted of rape.

The subject of a 2012 “60 Minutes” piece, “The Brian Banks Story” tells the harrowing tale of Brian Banks, an All-American high school football player who had committed to USC’s prestigious football program in 2002. His life was upended when a classmate falsely accused him of rape. Banks maintained his innocence, but a hasty plea-bargain resulted in Brian serving over five years and two months in prison, five years on parole and registering as a sex offender.

With the help of the California Innocence Project, Banks’ conviction was overturned in 2012. He returned to the gridiron after a 10-year hiatus, playing UFL football and going through six NFL tryouts before finally making the Atlanta Falcons’ 75-man roster in April 2013. Although he only played in four preseason games, Banks fulfilled his lifelong dream and is now a motivational speaker and an activist and spokesperson for the California Innocence Project.

“All I ever wanted was to prove my innocence,” said Banks. “Telling my story in the form of a feature film is beyond my wildest dreams. Having Lee Daniels come on board to direct the film is so exciting, and such an honor.”

“Lee is a filmmaker who looks at challenging circumstances with honesty, compassion, and hope. He has an emotional connection to Brian’s story that I’m certain will result in a powerful and redemptive film. I’m thrilled to be partnered with him,” added Baer.