Plans for a highly anticipated documentary series about former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Spike Lee, have come to an unexpected halt. ESPN confirmed on Monday, August 18, 2025, that it has canceled the multi-part docu-series, citing “creative differences” among the network, Kaepernick, and Lee. The cancellation marks the end of a project that promised to offer a deeply personal look into the life and activism of one of football’s most polarizing figures.
The project had been in the works for several years. Originally announced in 2020 as part of Kaepernick’s first-look deal with Walt Disney, the documentary was intended to give Kaepernick a platform to tell his story in his own words, using extensive new interviews and never-before-seen footage from his personal archive. Production officially began in 2022, with Lee, then 68, at the helm. The series was expected to provide, in ESPN’s words, “a full, first-person account of his journey.”
But as the months passed, reports of delays began to trickle out. According to Puck News, by September 2024, the nearly finished project was suffering from multiple setbacks, with creative differences between Kaepernick and Lee cited as a major factor. Lee’s own busy schedule also contributed to the delays. Despite these challenges, ESPN CEO Jimmy Pitaro was reportedly open to airing the seven-part series at a later date, but Kaepernick and Lee were given the option to shop the project elsewhere if they wanted it to premiere sooner. For now, however, the documentary remains on the shelf.
The news of the cancellation first broke when Lee himself addressed the matter during a red carpet appearance on August 15, 2025. Speaking to Reuters, Lee said simply, “It’s not coming out. That’s all I can say.” Pressed for more details, he demurred, explaining, “I can’t. I signed a nondisclosure. I can’t talk about it.”
ESPN later confirmed the decision in a statement shared with Variety: “ESPN, Colin Kaepernick and Spike Lee have collectively decided to no longer proceed with this project as a result of certain creative differences. Despite not reaching finality, we appreciate all the hard work and collaboration that went into this film.”
Speculation quickly arose as to whether the cancellation was connected to the NFL’s recent acquisition of a 10% minority stake in ESPN, which gave the league more influence over the Disney-owned sports outlet. However, Variety reported that the decision to scrap the project was made back in the summer of 2024 and was unrelated to the NFL’s new ownership stake. A source close to the project confirmed to Variety that the timing was purely coincidental and not influenced by the league’s business moves.
The documentary’s shelving comes at a time when interest in Kaepernick’s story remains high. Kaepernick, now 37, played for the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 until 2016. His final season was marked by a wave of controversy and national debate after he began kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and systemic racism. According to ESPN, Kaepernick’s silent protest “ignited a media firestorm,” with supporters hailing him as a courageous activist and critics accusing him of disrespecting the flag and the military.
Following the 2016 season, Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers, hoping to continue his career elsewhere. Instead, he found himself unsigned by any NFL team. In 2017, he and teammate Eric Reid filed a grievance against the league, alleging that team owners were colluding to keep them off the field in response to their protests. The case was eventually settled privately, but the details of the agreement were never made public.
Kaepernick’s activism and his subsequent exclusion from the NFL have made him a symbol of both resistance and controversy in American sports and culture. His adolescence and early experiences were previously adapted for the screen in the Ava DuVernay-directed Netflix series Colin in Black and White, which explored his upbringing and the events that shaped his worldview. The now-canceled ESPN documentary was set to build on that narrative, focusing on Kaepernick’s own perspective and voice.
For Spike Lee, the cancellation is a rare setback in an otherwise prolific year. Just last week, Lee released his latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, a crime thriller starring Denzel Washington, A$AP Rocky, and Ice Spice. The movie premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025 to critical acclaim and currently boasts a 91 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Lee’s involvement in the Kaepernick project had generated considerable excitement, with many expecting his signature style and unflinching approach to elevate the documentary to must-see status.
The decision to halt the documentary has left fans and observers wondering what might become of the nearly finished project. According to Variety, Kaepernick and Lee have been given the opportunity to shop the series to other networks or streaming platforms, should they wish to pursue a release outside of ESPN. For now, though, there’s no word on whether the documentary will find a new home—or if it will ever see the light of day.
The saga highlights the complexities that can arise when high-profile creative projects intersect with powerful institutions and controversial subjects. Kaepernick’s story, with its mix of athletic achievement, social activism, and ongoing debate, remains as relevant as ever. The cancellation of the documentary series may have closed one chapter, but it has certainly not ended the conversation.
As the dust settles, both ESPN and the parties involved have expressed gratitude for the work put into the film. “We appreciate all the hard work and collaboration that went into this film,” ESPN’s statement concluded. For now, the public will have to wait and see if Kaepernick’s story will find another outlet—or if this behind-the-scenes drama will become just another footnote in his already remarkable journey.
