Movie star Sandra Bullock was in the Mid-South Monday. She surprised some staffers at Briarcrest High School with an impromptu visit. Bullock was in town to research her new role.
The school’s principal Steve Simpson said Bullock has been cast as Leigh Anne Tuohy, the mother of Michael Oher.
Simpson said Tuohy accompanied Bullock to the school.
Tuohy is a well to do, conservative woman who took in the homeless Oher. Oher had a tough childhood. His father was murdered when he was a child and his mother was addicted to crack cocaine.
After attending a dozen Memphis schools, Oher made his way to Briarcrest. There he excelled at football and became a top college prospect. The Tuohy family took him in and helped him catch up academically.
“I told Sandra Bullock she better get ready and do her homework because Leigh Anne Tuohy has a lot of energy and is a very exciting person,” said Simpson.
Oher went on to play football at Ole Miss on a scholarship. At six foot six and more than 300 pounds, the offensive lineman is considered by many to be a potential top pick in the NFL draft.
His story was made into a book “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game.” It’s now being made into a feature film.
“I think it’s a great story and at this point of his life, he’s really done some remarkable things,” said Simpson.
And Simpson thinks Bullock will not be the last famous face to show up at Briarcrest.
“Down the line, before or at the beginning of filming, we may hear from or see some people from Hollywood,” he said.
New comer Bryan Lay has been cast as Michael Oher. Oher’s surrogate father Sean Touhy has not yet been cast.
Sandra Bullock is reportedly still in the Mid-South, now in Oxford to see where Oher currently is going to school.
