Spurs' Parker can't stay out of Hollywood, produces Sundance smash
San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker can't lose. Even when he loses, he doesn't lose. On the court, he's still an efficient cog in one of the best basketball teams ever.
And off the court he's apparently the next Harvey Weinstein. According to The Hollywood Reporter (via San Antonio Express-News), the 33-year-old helped produce "The Birth of a Nation", the biggest movie to emerge from this year's Sundance Film Festival.
Three San Antonio celebrities – including a Spurs superstar -- are involved in a movie that drew raves Monday at Sundance and just netted a record-breaking film deal. Spurs guard Tony Parker is an executive producer on "The Birth of a Nation," which is based on the story of the bloody slave rebellion that was led by Nat Turner in 1831. Two of San Antonio's resident actors, Jackie Earle Haley and Bird Bakery co-owner Armie Hammer, have key roles in the movie, which was written and directed by Nate Parker. The filmmaker, who spent many years on this passion project, also plays Turner in the film. "Nation," according to The Hollywood Reporter, premiered Monday afternoon in Park City, Utah, to multiple standing ovations. THR also reported that worldwide rights to the unflinchingly realistic drama have been picked up by Fox Searchlight at the Sundance Film Festival for $17.5 million, following a bidding war which included streaming giant Netflix. This should come as great news to Parker.
This all makes sense because according to Parker's Instagram account, he really loves movies. Here he is with Hulk.
If Parker could travel back in time, he'd probably block Ray Allen's Game 6 dagger.
The guy really loves movie stars, too. Here he is with Kevin Hart.
And at the Jurassic World premiere.
See? Parker either plays for a winner or knows how to back one. He doesn't lose.
