Email leaks between Sony, Will Smith's representatives, and director Peter Landesman were allegedly leaked suggesting that the script and marketing for the movie 'Concussion' may have been altered to avoid antagonizing the NFL. The latter revealed they're open for discussion and debate regarding the subject of the film.
As reported by Reuters, emails from 2014 were reportedly leaked indicating that Sony may have altered the film in order to prevent altercation against NFL. An August 2014 email from Dwight Caines, Sony Pictures' President of Domestic Theatrical Marketing, says that they'll focus on telling a story in making the movie.
"Will (Smith) is not anti-football (nor is the movie) and isn't planning to be a spokesman for what football should be or shouldn't be", Caines reportedly wrote. "We'll develop messaging... to ensure that we are telling a dramatic story and not kicking the hornet's nest", he was quoted in the alleged email.
Another email from last year was also quoted saying that unflattering moments from the NFL were changed or omitted. Also, another message reportedly said that a Sony lawyer took "most of the bite" out of the film.
As reported by /Film, Landesman said that the parts that were deleted or changed made the film better and fair. He also added that they did not compromise the storytelling in order to avoid problems with NFL.
"We don't want to give the NFL a toehold to say, 'They are making it up,' and damage the credibility of the movie. There were things that might have been creatively fun to have actors say that might not have been accurate in the heads of the NFL or doctors", Landesman said.
"We might have gotten away with it legally, but it might have damaged our integrity as filmmakers. We didn't have a need to make up anything because it was powerful and revelatory on its own. There was never an instance where we compromised the storytelling to protect ourselves from the NFL", he added. Landesman also said in another interview that Sony has been supportive of him in creating the movie, and quoted Sony saying that they're behind him and they'll protect him.
Meanwhile, the NFL recently spoke to The Hollywood Reporter and revealed that they're open for discussions regarding the topic in the movie. According to the report, NFL will be hosting discussions, conferences, and scientific meetings about football-related head trauma in the coming months before the film's release.
The NFL reportedly welcomes the film's ability to spark dialogue regarding players' safety and health. They also expressed their interest in working with Sony in raising awareness regarding the matter, although they also admitted having no communication with the studio.
'Concussion' tells the story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, a forensic neuropathologist who first discovered CTE or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a progressive degenerative disease in a pro player. The film stars Will Smith in the lead role, along with Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Alec Baldwin, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. It is set to hit theaters in December 25, 2015.
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