‘Creative Differences’: ESPN Axes Spike Lee’s Doc About Colin Kaepernick

Director Spike Lee’s multi-part documentary about former NFL player Colin Kaepernick is being left on the cutting room floor, according to reports.

The controversial quarterback was going to be the subject of the project, which was slated to air on ESPN.

“ESPN, Colin Kaepernick and Spike Lee have collectively decided to no longer proceed with this project as a result of certain creative differences,” the sports network said in a statement to Reuters on Saturday. “Despite not reaching finality, we appreciate all the hard work and collaboration that went into this film.”

Lee also personally confirmed with Reuters that the series got axed, but would not elaborate, citing a non-disclosure agreement. 

“It’s not coming out. That’s all I can say,” the filmmaker said when questioned on the red carpet ahead of a fundraising event in Beverly Hills on Friday. “I can’t talk about it,” Lee said when pressed.

Production on the series began in 2022 with the project being touted as a “full, first-person account” of Kaepernick’s life, career, and controversy, featuring interviews with the man himself. 

In September, the series was reportedly being delayed over disagreements between Kaepernick and Lee on the direction of the film. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro was open to shopping the project with other networks, Reuters reported. 

The 49ers picked Kaepernick in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He led the team to Super Bowl 47 in 2012 but lost in a close game to the Baltimore Ravens. He stayed with the 49ers until they released him in March 2017, and no other team has picked him up since, despite him being open to coming back.

The former NFL quarterback took a lot of criticism for his refusal to stand for the national anthem back in 2016 over complaints of racism.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick said at the time. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

Kaepernick has stayed in the headlines since losing his NFL job, primarily for his outspoken, radical social activism.