Will Smith had the experience of his life when playing the role of Dr. Bennet Omalu in Concussion. The actor has had a career of over three decades, and while he began his career with comedy roles, the entertainer continued on to work in a wide array of roles. Right from science fiction and dramas and biographical movies.

Some of these biographical movies include Ali, King Richard, The Pursuit of Happyness, and Concussion. Bringing a story to life through the big screen is an experience that is unique to the actor. He described it all in an interview alongside none other than living legend Dr. Bennet Omalu.

Will Smith explained why playing Dr. Bennet Omalu’s role in Concussion was ecstatic for him

Will Smith has played many roles in his life, but to play the life of a special immigrant doctor was ecstatic for him. As per Smith’s interview on Flicks And The City Clips, “as an actor, it is a very rare occurrence that you take on a story that has that kind of mythological shape to it.” Talking about playing Dr. Bennet Omalu’s role, he added how it is ecstatic for an actor to play a role that was like David and Goliath but in real life. To him, the real-life story was beautiful and perfect, almost like a fantasy. Peter Landesman directed the movie with Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks, and David Morse along with Smith.

https://youtu.be/CX_e_oUfJGo

Smith was all praises for the Nigerian American neuropathologist that made a revolutionary discovery. After all, the doctor changed the lives of many NFL players by researching and finding how they are vulnerable to suffering from CTE. The condition occurs from repetitive injury to the head. He did research on former NFL player Mike Webster, who suffered from the after-effects of CTE. But convincing the medical board was no easy task.

Through Concussion, Smith managed to tell the difficult yet powerful story of Omalu in proving his research and making a mark in medical history. The neuropathologist, when the film was in the talks, was insistent that the Men In Black actor play him, even when the actor was against it.

If you have watched the movie, do you agree with Will Smith’s experience? Comment your thoughts.