More details have been revealed about the upcoming Mike Tyson biopic.
Jamie Foxx will be playing the prolific boxer in a limited series which will span Tyson’s whole life, Variety reports.
The series, which will be titled Tyson, hasn’t yet been attached to a specific streaming service or network.
Confirmed: Jamie Foxx will be playing Mike Tyson in a limited series which will span the boxer’s whole life, Variety reports
Southpaw director Antoine Fuqua is on board to direct and executive produce via Fuqua Films and Martin Scorsese will also executive produce with Sikelia Productions.
Foxx and Tyson will also executive produce alongside Tyson’s wife Kiki.
Tyson, 54, will also be hands on with the project making sure that his story is told told in an ‘inspiring’ and ‘entertaining’ way.
‘I have been looking to tell my story for quite some time,’ Tyson said in a statement. ‘With the recent launch of Legends Only League and the excitement from fans following my return to the ring, now feels like the perfect moment.
On board: Southpaw director Antoine Fuqua is on board to direct and executive produce via Fuqua Films and Martin Scorsese will also executive produce
‘I look forward to collaborating with Martin, Antoine, Jamie, and the entire creative team to bring audiences a series that not only captures my professional and personal journey but also inspires and entertains.’
Colin Preston wrote the pilot and is in the process of penning the series.
Tyson recently openly criticized a separate Hulu project, called Iron Mike, which is being produced by Margot Robbie.
‘I look forward to collaborating with Martin, Antoine, Jamie, and the entire creative team to bring audiences a series that not only captures my professional and personal journey but also inspires and entertains.’ Tyson said in a statement
In the ring: The series, which will be titled Tyson, hasn’t yet been attached to a specific streaming service or network. Tyson is seen here fighting Lennox Lewis in 2002
Tyson recently openly criticized a separate Hulu project, called Iron Mike, which is being produced by Margot Robbie
The series promises to explore the ‘wild, tragic and controversial’ life and career of Tyson, one of the most polarizing figures in sports culture.
In response to the unauthorized series, Tyson told ET last month: ‘Hulu’s announcement to do an unauthorized miniseries of my life, although unfortunate, isn’t surprising,
‘This announcement on the heels of social disparities in our country is a prime example of how Hulu’s corporate greed led to this tone-deaf cultural misappropriation of my life story.
‘To make this announcement during Black History Month only confirms Hulu’s concern for dollars over respect for Black story rights. Hollywood needs to be more sensitive to Black experiences especially after all that has transpired in 2020. My authorized story is in development and will be announced in coming days.’
Tyson’s authorized project has been in the works for years. And Jamie revealed last summer that he’d been hard at work to transform his body in preparation for the role.
Last June, Jamie said that the grueling fitness routine was changing the ‘top half’ of his body but he had a lot more to do when it comes to the lower part.
Tyson said of the Hulu biopic: ‘This announcement on the heels of social disparities in our country is a prime example of how Hulu’s corporate greed led to this tone-deaf cultural misappropriation of my life story’ He is seen here on February 25
‘I ain’t got no legs, I ain’t got no calf muscles so we’re gonna have to get some prosthetics for that,’ Jamie said.
The actor also explained that he aims to be 216lbs when filming starts and he plays a younger version of the boxer, and then he will ‘balloon to 225, 230 which will look like 250 on screen.’
Jamie is known for having previously impersonated Tyson in the past, and has sought help from the boxing champ himself to master the role.
Tyson said in 2013: ‘Me and Jamie Foxx are in discussion, and we gonna do it.
‘Within a year to 18 months, we’re going to do the Mike Tyson story and he’s going to portray me, and now they have this new animation; because you know Jamie’s pretty much my age so he can’t portray me but they have this new system.’
Tyson’s authorized project has been in the works for years. And Jamie revealed last summer that he’d been hard at work to transform his body in preparation for the role.
Last June, Jamie said that the grueling fitness routine was changing the ‘top half’ of his body but he had a lot more to do when it comes to the lower part, saying ‘I ain’t got no calf muscles’