Jamie Foxx Set To Play Mike Tyson In New Film
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- August 4, 2014
By Mark Hodge (doddleNEWS)
One of the most complex and divisive figures in sporting history, Mike Tyson is to receive the screen biopic his tumultuous life deserves.
The boxing legend, who has had a career renaissance of sorts with movies like The Hangover, has revealed that Oscar winner Jamie Foxx is set to play him, with the aid of CGI, in a comprehensive adaptation, which will follow Tyson from his heyday as the youngest heavyweight champion in history, through his various professional and personal troubles.
He said (via The Mirror): “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 [young], but they have this new system.”
The new system Iron Mike is talking about would presumably be similar to the computer generated effects used in films such as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Tron: Legacy.
Former stand-up comic Foxx previously revealed, while on Live with Kelly and Michael back in May, that he was keen to play Tyson.
He said (via The Guardian): "I got a chance to hang out with Mike when Mike was at his height. And I watched [him] go from his height to where he is now, and I talked to him about doing his story. I think that story would be fantastic ... and I had my makeup artist dress me up as Mike Tyson ... People were literally coming up asking for autographs. So hopefully, Mike, if you’re listening, let’s make history.”
Interestingly, Tyson also mentioned that Martin Scorsese may be involved in the project in some capacity.
However, it is not known whether the Raging Bull filmmaker would take on a directing or producing role – although the latter is more likely.
Aside from being responsible for arguably the best boxing movie ever made, Scorsese has also developed a niche in chronicling morally ambiguous true stories, such as Goodfellas, Casino and most recently The Wolf of Wall Street.
Stay tuned for more Mike Tyson biopic news.
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