Josephson Entertainment Joins "The Magician"
Posted on:
Thursday January 19, 2012
Briscoe’s football career led him from being a 14th round draft pick for the Denver Broncos in 1968 to becoming an All-Pro receiver for the Buffalo Bills and an integral member of the 1972 Miami Dolphins. In his rookie year with the Broncos, Briscoe broke the color barrier in professional football, becoming the first African American starting quarterback, and finishing his first season with 14 touchdown passes, a rookie record that still remains.
Briscoe’s life, however, took a different turn following his departure from the NFL. He fell into the vicious cycle of drug addiction, that left him homeless and behind bars. Briscoe eventually faced his addictions, fears and critics to become what he is today, a mentor to young people in Los Angeles.
In 2006, Briscoe became the center of a Nike marketing campaign which featured a fictional high school football team named the Briscoe High Hawks and included other football greats Don Shula, LaDainian Tomlinson, Brian Urlacher, Jimmy Johnson and Matt Leinart. Briscoe is also co-founder of the Field Generals, a nonprofit organization featuring black NFL quarterbacks including Doug Williams, Randall Cunningham and Warren Moon.
Said Barry Josephson: “I am excited to have “The Magician” as part of our slate of films to be produced. It’s an unbelievable inspirational story of perseverance, determination and hope. It’s important that a story inspires, and Greg Howard has done just that… viewers will relate to “The Magician” in one way or another. We at Josephson Entertainment could not ask for a better project to associate ourselves with.”
Before starting his own firm, Josephson was President of Productions at Hollywood-based Columbia Pictures, producing such hits as “Men in Black,” “Air Force One,” “In the Line of Fire” and “The Fifth Element.” Josephson Entertainment’s most recent box-office success, “Enchanted,” earned two Golden Globe and three Oscar nominations, plus a Critic’s Choice Award for Best Family Film. He’s also executive producer of the popular television series “Bones.”
Said Gregory Allen Howard: “Said I’d never do another football movie, but the Marlin Briscoe story is not a football movie. It is a Shakespearean tale of hope, shattered dreams and redemption. I’m honored to be on the team of the first black QB.”
Said Doug Falconer: “Having had the good fortune to play professional football in Canada alongside and against great African-American quarterbacks the likes of Warren Moon (CFL & NFL Hall of Fame), Condredge Holloway (CFL Hall of Fame, first African American to start as a quarterback in the SEC), Chuck Ealey (All-American, University of Toledo), Jimmy Jones (USC) & Mathew Reed (Grambling) to name a few, most of whom were not given the opportunity to play in the NFL, and knowing that it was Marlin who had paved the way for these great quarterbacks was what attracted me to the project!” I am very pleased to be a part of the team bringing this great story to the screen!
Gregory Allen Howard’s credits include the Oscar nominated film “Ali” starring Will Smith, and “Remember the Titans” starring Denzel Washington. He is repped by William Morris Endeavor Entertainment.
West Omaha Films was founded by actor John Beasley, David B. Clark and Terry Hanna.
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