The Walt Disney Company has announced an overall first-look deal with Colin Kaepernick’s production arm Ra Vision Media. The partnership will focus on telling scripted and unscripted stories that explore race, social injustice and the quest for equity, and will provide a new platform to showcase the work of Black and Brown directors and producers. The first-look deal will extend across all Walt Disney Platforms including Walt Disney Television, ESPN, Hulu, Pixar, and The Undefeated. Kaepernick will work closely with The Undefeated, which is expanding its portfolio across Disney, to develop stories from the perspective of Black and Brown communities.

Bob Iger, Disney’s executive chairman, said: “During this unprecedented time, The Walt Disney Company remains committed to creating diverse and inclusive content that resonates and matters. Colin’s experience gives him a unique perspective on the intersection of sports, culture and race, which will undoubtedly create compelling stories that will educate, enlighten and entertain, and we look forward to working with him on this important collaboration.

The first project in development as part of this deal is an exclusive docuseries chronicling Kaepernick’s journey. Using extensive new interviews and a vast never-before-seen archive that documents his last five years, Kaepernick will tell his story from his perspective. Libby Geist, Kevin Merida and Connor Schell will executive produce for ESPN. Kaepernick has enlisted the help of Jemele Hill, who previously worked for both ESPN and The Undefeated, as a producer on the project. Further details will be announced.

Kaepernick stated: “I am excited to announce this historic partnership with Disney across all of its platforms to elevate Black and Brown directors, creators, storytellers, and producers, and to inspire the youth with compelling and authentic perspectives. I look forward to sharing the docuseries on my life story, in addition to many other culturally impactful projects we are developing.”

Jimmy Pitaro, president, ESPN, said: “Developing exceptional storytelling told through a wide array of voices is at the core of who we are at ESPN. Colin has had a singular path as both an athlete and an activist, and, as the nation continues to confront racism and social injustice, it feels particularly relevant to hear Colin’s voice on his evolution and motivations.”

Kevin Merida, SVP and editor-in-chief of The Undefeated, stated: “The Undefeated exists at the juncture of race, sports and culture, which is exactly where Colin has often found himself as he has navigated his career and activism. We’re looking forward to working with Colin to elevate important stories of lives too often unseen and to deliver them to a vast audience across The Walt Disney Company. We want to continue to call attention to the issues of racial injustice that America is wrestling with, and do that in new, compelling ways.”

Hopefully, some of this new content will work its way onto Disney+ soon.

Would you be interested in watching Colin Kaepernick made content on Disney+ ?

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Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

5 Comments

  1. Christopher Smith July 6, 2020

    I understand the desire to open avenues and "creating diverse and inclusive content that resonates and matters." But please, Kapernick's trashing of the United States goes beyond the pale. Calling Independence Day a "celebration of white supremacy" is nonsense. Tell that to all the soldiers who gave up their lives on D-Day. For all of us. Racism is evil, and as generations go by, there is less of it, but it is still there, all over the world. The United States is not unique in this aspect of fallen human nature.

  2. Linda Foster July 7, 2020

    I’m sad that Disney thinks Kaepernick’s voice is the one that Disney fans are looking for. Disney has been my escape in bad times but I am rethinking that.

  3. ScionStorm July 7, 2020

    Social injustice and the quest for equity?

  4. Tim Minnema July 8, 2020

    This is completely unacceptable. We will not make any future connections on scheduled trips with Disney due to their interaction with this type of individual. This person is and will always be a negative impact on society, we dont not value his opinion and anywhere he goes there is only discomfort, disconnection of societys peaceful interaction and a trail of destruction. I would suggest immediately disconnecting with such individual. He is a distraction. We will be cancelling our plans to vacation and any other Disney media connections until Collin Kapakernick does not longer have any affiliation with Disney. Shame Disney!!!! Disconnect with this horrible person immediately!

  5. Sydney R July 11, 2020

    Seems like a surprising but smart move.