Will Smith Talks About Fear Of Taking Role In 'Concussion'
Hollywood (CBS Sacramento)-- At the AFI Fest premiere of "Concussion," Will Smith spoke about the moment Ridley Scott called him to do the movie, according to USA Today. Director Peter Landesman said, "Will was in this movie months before he even knew it."
"Concussion" is based upon the true story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, a Nigerian forensic neuropathologist, who Smith plays, and his discovery of brain injury from football. Although Smith didn't say "yes" at first because it "was deeply conflicting," he ultimately went with the project.
Smith remembers being afraid because he is a "football dad" and the NFL ignored a lot of these diseases that athletes had. During the Q&A session after the screening of "Concussion" he spoke to the real Dr. Omalu asking him to, "Please say something to make me not take this movie."
Omalu said, "What struck me on set was his emotional expression of me, his body language, the looks in his eyes, his face. He got it perfect."
"Concussion" is set to be released in theaters on Christmas Day.