Will Smith is close to signing up for Peter Landesman's untitled drama about the NFL's concussion problem, based on the GQ article Game Brain. Ridley Scott will produce for his Scott Free production company.

Will SmithWill Smith is ready to sign up for the NFL concussion drama

Scott is said to have become hugely passionate about the issue and was aggressive in landing a star for the picture.

The original article was written by Jeanne Marie Laskas and follows Dr Bennet Omalu - who will be played by Smith. A forensic neuropathalogist, Dr Omalu single-handedly made the discovery of CTE in a professional football player and brought awareness to the public. It's effectively a whistle-blower story which humanizes the price paid by professional athletes in impact sports. It will also touch on the cultural, corporate and political interest that fuel the sports business, according to Variety - who had the scoop on this one. 

More: Will Smith drops out of 'Brilliance'

It's unclear whether Scott Free will look to move quickly on this one, given there are several rival projects on the same subject. Parkes/MacDonald Productions are developing a project based on the book League of Denial: The NFL, Concussions And The Battle For Truth, while Isiah Washington is set to star in the indie-drama Game Time Decision. 

Smith's schedule looks pretty open after exiting the Legendary picture Brilliance. He will next be seen in Warner Bros' 'Focus' opposite Margot Robbie. Smith plays a veteran professional con artist who takes a young attractive woman under his wing, however, things become difficult when they become romantically involved whilst lying and cheating for a living. It hits on February 27, 2015.

Ridley ScottRidley Scott Will Produce The NFL Drama