The Blind Side: Unveiling the Untold Story Behind the $309M Sandra Bullock Movie Amidst Michael Oher Controversy

Summary

The Blind Side producers defend the movie, refuting claims made by Michael Oher about the film's accuracy and his adoption story.

The Tuohys profiting greatly from the film is dismissed by the producers, as they clarify that the contracts did not include substantial payouts in the event of its success. Despite the controversy, the producers maintain the authenticity of The Blind Side, emphasizing the acts of kindness depicted in the movie and Michael Oher's real-life accomplishments.

The Blind Side producers are standing up for their controversial $309 million movie amidst recent disputes regarding Michael Oher and his family. Oher, the real-life inspiration behind the film, has come forward to challenge its accuracy. Contrary to what the biopic portrays, Oher asserts that his adoption story was fabricated and that his supposed adoptive family, the Tuohys, manipulated him into signing a conservatorship agreement that allowed them to conduct business deals on his behalf. In response, Oher has filed a petition to terminate his conservatorship with the Shelby County, Tennessee court, totaling 14 pages.

In the midst of this contentious situation, The Blind Side producers Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove are coming to the defense of their movie, led by Sandra Bullock. According to Deadline, the producers have refuted various misconceptions surrounding The Blind Side. They have dismissed allegations that the Tuohys made millions while Oher received nothing, stating that the film's contracts did not entail significant financial payouts in the case of its success. The entire statement can be read below.

As the Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of Alcon Entertainment, we financed and produced THE BLIND SIDE. In response to recent media reports, filled with mischaracterizations and uninformed opinions, we feel compelled to address the situation. These reports have stemmed from Michael Oher's lawsuit, causing critics and journalists to unfairly scrutinize the movie fourteen years later, even going as far as calling it "fake" or a "lie."

THE BLIND SIDE was a film that no major studio would take on in 2009, when Alcon funded its production. The prevailing notion at the time was that a football movie with a female lead would not attract football fans, it had too much football to appeal to families, and films featuring Black actors wouldn't succeed internationally. We held a different perspective, believing it would captivate a wide audience. In 2009, when the country and the world were less divided and filled with hope, our belief proved true. It is worth noting that we hold the unique distinction of being the longest-running interracial business partnership in the history of the film industry. Our leadership is characterized not by publicity or grand statements, but by the subtle yet influential power of setting an example.

In the story of THE BLIND SIDE, we witnessed the benevolence of the Tuohy family as they showed kindness towards Michael Oher. However, what truly stood out was Michael Oher's remarkable bravery in not accepting their generosity as a mere handout or salvation, but as an opportunity to better his own life. This is evident in his academic achievements and athletic success. Moreover, his ability to raise his own children, providing them with a life of possibilities that he never experienced as a child, is a testament to his strength and courage. Despite any challenges that may have arisen after the film, THE BLIND SIDE remains an authentic depiction of these events, supported by numerous trustworthy individuals, including Michael Lewis, the esteemed author of the book. These individuals can attest to the Tuohys' genuine love for Michael and their role in raising him as their own child throughout high school, college, and his NFL career.

Additionally, let us acknowledge the business aspect that seems to have contributed to some negative press surrounding the film. The film rights and associated contracts were initially negotiated by Twentieth Century Fox and later taken over by Alcon. It is important to recognize that the landscape of life rights deals for books, documentaries, and films, as well as the restrictions on college athletes' eligibility, were different in 2006 compared to today. Comparing deals from that time to the present-day market for such rights is like comparing a former basketball Hall of Famer's contract from 25 years ago to the multi-million-dollar deals prevalent in today's NBA. The deal struck by Fox for the Tuohy family and Michael Oher's life rights reflected the market conditions at that time, where these individuals were relatively unknown. Therefore, it did not include substantial financial compensation in the event of the film's success.

The notion that the Tuohys were paid millions of dollars by Alcon to the detriment of Michael Oher is incorrect. In reality, Alcon has paid around $767,000 to the talent agency representing the Tuohy family and Michael Oher. It is expected that the Tuohy family and Michael Oher will receive additional profits as the true story continues to be enjoyed by audiences in the future. In addition to these contractual payments, Alcon has made a charitable contribution to the Tuohy family foundation. We also offered to donate an equal amount to a charity of Mr. Oher's choice, but he declined.

In November, it will have been 14 years since our distribution partner, Warner Bros., released THE BLIND SIDE. Reflecting on the past, we strongly believed that THE BLIND SIDE was a story that needed to be told. John Lee Hancock had done an excellent job adapting Michael Lewis' book, and we were confident that John Lee would direct a thoughtful and inspiring film. Additionally, we felt that Sandra Bullock's exceptional work as a dramatic actress was not getting the recognition it deserved, and Quentin Aaron's screen test was truly remarkable. While we understand that critics and social media may overlook the powerful human qualities displayed in THE BLIND SIDE, we believe that these qualities are fundamental to a thriving society and should be celebrated. We are just as proud of the film today as we were 14 years ago when our incredible collaborators brought it to life. We hope that filmmakers worldwide will continue to seek out uplifting stories to share and have the freedom to make their voices heard.

Why Defending The Blind Side Is Complicated

Johnson and Kosove's recent statement heightens the difficulty in discerning the truth in the ongoing dispute surrounding The Blind Side. They are not the first individuals involved in the creative process to come to the defense of the film and its production. Soon after news of Oher's petition emerged, actor Quinton Aaron, who starred in The Blind Side, defended the film alongside Sandra Bullock. Aaron, while praising the movie and its star, stated that he never had the opportunity to meet Oher during the filming of the biopic, whereas the Tuohys, the family depicted in the film, visited the set multiple times.

The overwhelming support expressed by Aaron, Kosove, and Johnson in defense of The Blind Side is inherently controversial. Prior to the recent controversy, the film had already faced criticism for perpetuating a "white savior" narrative, in which a white family, the Tuohys, is portrayed as the heroic figure in the life of a young Black man, Oher. Considering this context, having influential figures associated with the film consistently dismissing claims of abuse of power does not bode well for the reputation of The Blind Side crew.

However, three key figures in the film, namely Aaron, Kosovo, and Johnson, have expressed their support for an alternative viewpoint regarding the controversy surrounding The Blind Side. Although their defense may present them in a certain light, their statements add complexity to the overall narrative of the controversy. Observing the outcome of Oher's petition in court promises to be an intriguing development.