Will Smith is developing a film for Sony about modern-day explorer and African-American neuroscience professor Dr. S. Allen Counter through his production company Overbrook Entertainment, reports Variety.
Smith is only attached to produce at this point along with Overbrook partners James Lassiter and Ken Stovitz. Debbie Allen will also produce.
Mel Gibson definitely won't have anything to do with this movie but his "Apocalypto" co-writer Farhad Safinia will write the screenplay.
Apparently, Smith has worked with Counter in the past on projects including Haiti relief.
Variety's story features a whole bunch of additional details about Counter's life and career, but to be honest, none of it sounds especially cinematic or particularly interesting.
It sounds like the type of movie I'd watch in my high school history class when my teacher wanted to take a nap.
A neurology professor at Harvard Medical School, Counter currently serves as the director of the Harvard Foundation of Harvard University, so perhaps Smith is trying to earn some future admissions points for his kids.
Overbrook recently produced Sony's kick-ass "Karate Kid" remake starring Smith's son, Jaden. Smith next stars in Sony's "Men in Black III."
