Though there have been numerous documentaries about former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson, Hollywood has yet to produce a straight-up biopic about the popular sports figure. However, if recent comments from the man himself are to be believed, that’s about to change.
Speaking with the Daily Mirror, Tyson revealed that Django Unchained star Jamie Foxx is in line to play him in a biopic:
“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.”
Tyson noted that Martin Scorsese is also involved, though it seems unlikely that the Goodfellas helmer would be stepping behind the camera for this project. And for those concerned about Foxx, 46, portraying Tyson in his glory days (he became the youngest heavyweight champion at the age of 20), the boxer explained that the filmmakers will use CGI technology to make the actor appear younger.
Reps for Foxx and Scorsese have yet to respond to requests for comment, but if this news is indeed true, do you think that Foxx is a good choice to play Tyson? The acclaimed actor certainly has experience bringing famed individuals to life, having earned an Oscar for his portrayal of icon Ray Charles in the biopic Ray. Foxx also portayed trainer Drew Bundini Brown in Ali, Staff Sergeant Sykes in Jarhead and musician Nathaniel Ayers in The Solist, among other roles in biopics. But will he be able to transfer Tyson’s unique personality, voice and mannerisms to the big screen?
Something tells me the answer is yes – so I’m hoping that Tyson isn’t jumping the gun here, and that Foxx and Scorsese are indeed already committed to bringing the boxer’s story to cinemas.
As always, we’ll be sure to bring you more as this story develops.
