Production begins on George Clooney's documentary about sex abuse at OSU

Production has started on a feature-length documentary for HBO and HBO Max about allegations by hundreds of former Ohio State University male student athletes that they were sexually abused by Dr. Richard Strauss, the team doctor for 17 varsity sports from 1978 to 1998.

The film, announced in February of 2021, will be directed by Oscar and Emmy winner Eva Orner (Out of Iraq, Chasing Asylum, Taxi To The Dark Side).

Clooney and long-time partner Grant Heslov (Argo, The Ides Of March) and David Glasser of 101 Studios are producing the film based on Sports Illustrated’s Oct. 5. 2020 digital story, "Why Aren't More People Talking About the Ohio State Sex Abuse Scandal?” by Jon Wertheim, Sports Illustrated executive editor and 60 Minutes correspondent.

Wertheim’s story "revealed the extent of Ohio State's sports doctor Richard Strauss' alleged sexual assaults and manipulation of over 350 (reported) student athletes," according to the producers' announcement last year.