Brian Banks -- Exonerated Football Star INKS MOVIE DEAL

Brian Banks -- who spent 5 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit -- has inked a deal for a movie about his life ... which will tell how he overcame false rape allegations and worked his way on to an NFL team.

His story is incredible ... Banks was one of the top high school football prospects in the country when he was accused of raping a student back in 2002. He was convicted and sentenced to prison.

Banks later proved his accuser had made the whole thing up ... and after spending more than 5 years behind bars, he worked hard to get back in shape and got a shot with several NFL teams.

In fact, the Atlanta Falcons signed Banks in 2013 ... and he actually played in a pre-season game, making a couple of tackles. He was ultimately cut before the regular season started.

Now, we've learned Banks has inked a deal with Gidden Media, which will produce a full length feature film based on Brian's story.

We're told the movie will be produced by Amy Baer, who produced "Last Vegas" which starred Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro and Morgan Freeman.