Kobe Bryant’s wife ‘delays permission’ for film about late NBA star’s life to protect children on special grounds

Kobe Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, has defended potential films about her late husband, according to a report.

Vanessa has reportedly been approached by a number of producers in the years since his tragic death.

However, the 42-year-old is said to want complete control over any potential projects to protect their daughters, according to The Sun.

Vanessa, who married Bryant in 2001, is determined to shield her three children from the negative aspects of the Lakers legend’s life, and his rift with his parents, the report added.

“Since Kobe’s tragic passing, the family have been approached by a number of producers about making a film about Kobe’s incredible life,” a source told The Sun this month, around the fifth anniversary of his death in a helicopter crash.

“But Vanessa is fiercely protective of her late husband’s legacy as she has every right to be.

Kobe Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, is reportedly championing a potential biopic

The 42-year-old is said to want control of the story to shield her daughters

“She is adamant that she and the children have the right to shape the storyline and themes.

“For her, it is essential that she is part of the creative process and a senior figure in the production.

“Vanessa was there for him every step of the way and had invaluable insight into all the ups and downs of his life.

“From their perspective, it would make sense that any project that was proposed would have their stamp of approval and their voice involved.”

Bryant, who died on January 26, 2020, in Calabasas, California, along with his 13-year-old daughter and seven others, faced sexual assault allegations early in his career.

His off-court reputation took a major hit in 2003 when a 19-year-old woman claimed the NBA icon raped her in his Eagle, Colorado, hotel room.

Kobe, who was married at the time, admitted to having sex with the woman but insisted it was consensual.

Bryant, then 24, was charged with felony assault. However, However, the case never went to trial because the accuser chose not to testify in court. The charges were dismissed in 2004.

The late Los Angeles Lakers icon in 2003

The alleged victim claims he assaulted her when she was 19 at a hotel

“Vanessa has made it clear through her lawyers and advisers that a project, regardless of whether she oversaw it or not, about her late husband should take into consideration the well-being of her children,” the source added, describing the allegations as a ‘troubling part’ of Bryant’s journey.

The insider also claimed that Bryant had a strained relationship with his father Joe, who died aged 69 last July, as his father ‘didn’t see eye to eye’ with Vanessa.

“Kobe wanted his parents to appreciate the wonderful family life he had built from sports,” they said.

“So any production that tries to address that will have to be careful not to cut open old wounds that are still healing.”

Sources described Vanessa as a great mother, praising her efforts to shield her children from the media and ensure they could live as normal a life as possible.

Her protective efforts reportedly delayed any production of a Bryant biopic, according to reports.

However, a new CNN documentary putting the NBA great’s life under the microscope, including the assault allegations, was released earlier this month.