Mike Fleming

Jesse HolleyEXCLUSIVE: Sony Pictures has acquired Jesse Holley, the working title for a film based on the unlikely rise the wide receiver who played for the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots after getting an invite to Cowboys training camp after winning 4th and Long, a reality series. The pic was sold in a pitch that will be written by Randy Brown, who scripted the Clint Eastwood-starrer Trouble With The Curve, and it will be produced by Neal Moritz and his Original Film banner. Dan Lindsay & TJ Martin, who won last year’s Oscar for Best Documentary for their gridiron film Undefeated are attached to make their narrative debut as directors. 

Holley overcame a poverty-ridden upbringing and multiple personal obstacles and went from working as a security guard to being an NFL wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. That gridiron career started in spectacular fashion when Holley caught a 77-yard pass in overtime, in his very first game. He was dragged down at the one-yard line. NFL Hall of Famer and Holley’s mentor Michael Irvin will be exec producer with Toby Ascher, and Elizabeth Buraglio will supervise for Original. Sony Pictures exec DeVon Franklin will oversee for the studio. Sports agent Steve Mandell helped put the deal together and will act as a creative consultant. The scribe is repped by UTA and attorney David Fox, the directors by WME, Principato-Young, and attorney Karl Austen.