Brittney Griner's 'harrowing' time in a Russian prison will be an ESPN movie. What we know

Brittney Griner's story is the stuff of movies, and now it's going to be one.

Griner, the Phoenix Mercury star who spent months in a Russian prison, has signed a deal with Disney to tell her story, the company announced on Thursday, Dec. 7.

“The last two years have been the most harrowing, transformative and illuminating period of my life, and I am grateful to be in a place now to share my story with the world,” Griner said in a release. “I’m proud to partner with ESPN and Disney to share this very personal story because of its incredible potential to inspire hope around the world and their proven ability to do just that.”

Griner's arrest was considered a Russian political ploy

In addition to the documentary from ESPN Films, the deal includes a scripted-series development with ABC Signature. Robin Roberts of ABC News will also conduct an exclusive interview with Griner, who was arrested in February of 2022 at a Moscow airport for cannabis possession, convicted and sentenced to nine years in prison in what was widely considered a political ploy. She was released Dec. 8, 2022.

Cherelle Griner, Brittney Griner’s wife, will serve as an executive producer on the projects. “Throughout BG’s detainment and in the time since, ESPN, ABC and Disney were supportive and caring in regards to the human side of this saga,” she said in a statement. “Love and family were at the center of the fight to get BG home, and with that in mind, there is no better, more trusted partner to tell that story with us.”

A Disney release said the documentary will delve into Griner’s nightmare in Russia.

“From the circumstances that led to her playing outside the U.S. despite being one of the best players in the sport to her harrowing detainment and the unwavering determination to secure her freedom, as well as her subsequent advocacy for the release of other wrongful detainees, the documentary will feature exclusive footage, recordings and letters to and from Griner during her time in prison,” it says.

It’s not the first time Griner’s life has been depicted in popular culture. In January 2022 “Female Force: Brittney Griner,” a comic book follows Griner’s journey of exploration of her sexuality and identity alongside her growth as a basketball star. It also shows Griner’s fondness for tattoos and fashion.

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Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. X, formerly known as Twitter: @goodyk.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ESPN is making a movie about Brittney Griner's Russian imprisonment