🎬 What Happened To The Colin Kaepernick Docuseries?
If you were hoping to get a deeper, unfiltered look into Colin Kaepernick’s life through Spike Lee’s lens, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s not happening.
ESPN has officially pulled the plug on the highly anticipated docuseries chronicling the journey of the former NFL quarterback turned activist.
According to a statement shared with Variety, ESPN, Colin Kaepernick, and Spike Lee “collectively decided to no longer proceed with this project as a result of certain creative differences.”
While it sounds like a diplomatic parting of ways, the vibes definitely scream “we couldn’t see eye to eye.”
🗣️ Spike Lee’s Brief But Telling Response
The news first came to light when Reuters caught up with Spike Lee on a red carpet in Beverly Hills.
When asked about the status of the project, Lee said, “It’s not coming out. That’s all I can say.”
And when pressed for details? He made it clear: “I can’t. I signed a nondisclosure.”
That NDA must’ve been tighter than a Super Bowl defense.
📺 Disney, ESPN, And That NFL Connection
A source close to the project told Variety that the decision not to move forward was actually made last summer and had nothing to do with the NFL’s recent ownership stake in ESPN.
The NFL now owns a minority share, while Disney still holds the majority at 80 percent.
So while conspiracy theories might be tempting, especially with Kaepernick’s history with the league, it seems this was just a creative clash, not a corporate censorship situation. Allegedly.
📝 The Vision That Never Made It To Screens
The docuseries was originally announced in 2020 as part of Kaepernick’s first-look deal with Disney under his Ra Vision Media banner.
Spike Lee came onboard in 2022 with plans to deliver “extensive new interviews and a vast never-before-seen archive” to tell Kaepernick’s story from his perspective.
Fans were expecting a powerful, raw, and unapologetic look into the life of the man who changed the NFL without even stepping on the field since 2016.
But now, that footage may never see the light of day.
🏈 Kaepernick’s Legacy Beyond The Field
Just to jog your memory, Colin Kaepernick played for the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2016.
He became a polarizing yet pivotal figure after kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice.
After opting out of his contract in 2017, he was effectively blackballed by the league.
He later filed a collusion grievance against the NFL, which was settled privately in 2019.
Since stepping away from the game, Kaepernick has leaned into activism through his nonprofit, Know Your Rights Camp, and found his footing in entertainment.
In 2021, he teamed up with Ava DuVernay for the Netflix limited series, “Colin in Black and White,” which dramatized his adolescent years.
🎥 So…What Now?
It’s disappointing but not shocking that a story as complex and controversial as Kaepernick’s might run into roadblocks on its way to the screen.
Still, fans of both Spike Lee and Kaepernick are left wondering what could’ve been.
Anyone else find it ironic that this decision was made a month after Nessa Diab accused Roc Nation, Jay-Z, and Desiree Perez of undermining Colin Kaepernick? 👀
There’s no word on whether the footage will be repurposed, sold elsewhere, or buried forever under a pile of shelved projects, but as always, I’ll keep an eye out and keep y’all posted.
Drop down in the comments: Were you looking forward to this documentary? Do you think another network will pick it up?
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