Will Smith to Star as Crime Boss Nicky Barnes in Netflix Film THE COUNCIL

Will Smith is set to star as American crime boss Nicky Barnes in an upcoming Netflix biopic titled "The Council". The script will be written by Peter Landesman, who previously penned the screenplay for "Concussion", another biopic that starred Smith.

The film will center on Nicky Barnes, the head of a crime syndicate that in the 1970s and early 1980s consisted of seven black men who ruled Harlem. The syndicate was made up of men who dreamed of a self-sufficient and self-policing African American city-state, funded by revolutionizing the drug game.

Barnes was dubbed by the New York Times as "Mr. Untouchable". The film will focus on the Shakespearean court intrigue between Barnes and all the different members of the syndicate, as one unlikely rising protege emerges. In the 1970s, Barnes spearheaded an international drug trafficking ring, in partnership with the Italian-American mafia. He was arrested in 1978, and was sentenced to life in prison, where he eventually became a federal informant.

Barnes was previously portrayed by Cuba Gooding Jr. in Ridley Scott's "American Gangster", and served as inspiration for Wesley Snipes' character Nino Brown from Mario Van Peebles' "New Jack City".

Smith can next be seen in Ang Lee's sci-fi action film "Gemini Man", and the threequel "Bad Boys for Life". He is also set to star in a biopic about the life of Richard Williams, the father of tennis superstars Serena and Venus Williams.

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New on DVD and Blu-ray: MARK FELT - THE MAN WHO BROUGHT DOWN THE WHITE HOUSE (2017)

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Product Description: Mark Felt - The Man Who Brought Down the White House centers on the true story of “Deep Throat”, the notorious whistleblower for one of the greatest scandals of all time, Watergate. The true identity of the secret informant remained a mystery and source of much speculation for over 30 years. Until, in 2005, special agent Mark Felt shockingly revealed himself as the tipster. This powerful true story chronicles the life of the brilliant and uncompromising Felt, who sacrificed everything – his family, his career, his freedom – in the name of justice.

Find out more about this DVD/Blu-ray release after the jump.

DVD & Blu-ray: CONCUSSION (2015)

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Product Description: Will Smith stars in Concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true David vs. Goliath story of American immigrant Dr. Bennet Omalu, the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of CTE, a football-related brain trauma, in a pro player and fought for the truth to be known. Omalu's emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful institutions in the world.

Find out more about this product after the jump (order links, extras, trailer etc.)

4 New Clips from CONCUSSION Starring Will Smith

Four new clips for the true story drama "Concussion" have been released.

The story of Dr. Bennet Omalu's (Will Smith) battle with the NFL has been received with generally mixed reviews by critics. While Smith offers another solid performance in the lead and the subject is timely and controversial, the execution is nothing we haven't seen before and sometimes it plays it too safe. Still, for the subject alone, it's worth a watch.

Directed by Peter Landesman ("Parkland"), the film also stars Alec Baldwin, Luke Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Arliss Howard, Paul Reiser, David Morse and Albert Brooks.

"Concussion" is now in theaters.

Watch the clips after the jump.

New CONCUSSION Trailer, Images and Posters

A new trailer, images and posters for the drama "Concussion" have been released online. The film tells the true story of Dr. Bennet Omalu (Will Smith), the Nigerian-born forensic neuropathologist who discovered a football-related brain trauma called CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) which raised questions regarding the safety of the sport. His discovery put him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful institutions in the world.

Directed by Peter Landesman ("Parkland"), the film also stars Alec Baldwin, Luke Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Arliss Howard, Paul Reiser, David Morse and Albert Brooks.

"Concussion" opens in theaters on December 25th.

Check out the trailer, images and posters after the jump.

CONCUSSION Trailer and Poster

Sony Pictures has released the first trailer and poster for the true story drama "Concussion". The film tells the story of Dr. Bennet Omalu (Will Smith), a Nigerian-born forensic neuropathologist who discovered CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), a football-related brain trauma that raised questions regarding the safety of the sport, and his struggle to let the truth be known. Directed by Peter Landesman ("Parkland"), the film also stars Alec Baldwin, Luke Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Arliss Howard, Paul Reiser, David Morse and Albert Brooks.

"Concussion" opens in theaters on December 25th.

Check out the trailer and poster after the jump.