Untitled Mike Tyson Biopic -- S: Jamie Foxx -- EP: Scorsese, Fuqua
#1
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Untitled Mike Tyson Biopic -- S: Jamie Foxx -- EP: Scorsese, Fuqua
http://variety.com/2014/film/news/ja...on-1201266853/
Having already played the corner man to one of the greatest boxers of all-time, Jamie Foxx looks ready to get back in the ring to portray one of the most recognizable boxers and sports figures of this generation.
Sources tell Variety that Foxx is attached to play Mike Tyson in an untitled biopic that Terence Winter is set to pen. Rick Yorn, who is Foxx’s manager, is shepherding the project and will produce.
The package is still coming together and is currently without a studio, but once the final details are ironed out and it is presented to the market, it shouldn’t be hard to interest a distributor.
As one of the most polarizing figures in sports, producers are eager to tackle Tyson’s life story. Known for the power and ferocity he displayed in the ring, Tyson became not just the top boxer at the end of the ’80s but one of the most popular sports figures, with a rough around-the-edges personality he displayed both in and out of the ring.
After losing his heavyweight title in 1990 following the upset loss to Buster Douglas, Tyson’s life began to spin out of control, including a six-year stint in prison after being found guilty of rape. Tyson returned to boxing but never quite returned to form, and became more known for his losses to Evander Holyfied (a match which made headlines when Tyson bit off part of Holyfield’s ear) and Lennox Lewis.
After leaving boxing in 2005, Tyson still had hurdles to overcome, such as his 2003 bankruptcy and the death of his young daughter. In recent years, he has kept out of trouble.
He premiered a one-man show in Vegas in 2012 that he later took to Broadway with the help of Spike Lee and released a memoir “Undisputed Truth” that made the New York Times bestseller list.
Though it’s unknown exactly which parts of Tyson’s life Winter will focus on, he has plenty of material to cover over the past 30 years. HBO tackled the story before with the 1995 pic “Tyson” starring Michael Jai White, but no one has tried to adapt his story as a feature film, though boxing is a popular sport for films.
Foxx played Muhammad Ali’s corner man Dwight “Bundini” Brown in “Ali” and also cocky quarterback Willie Beamen in Oliver Stone’s “Any Given Sunday.” Winter, on the other hand, is no stranger to taking on controversial figures after receiving an Oscar nom for adaptation on Wall Street bad boy Jordan Belfort’s life in “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
Foxx can be seen next in Sony’s reboot of “Annie.” He is repped by CAA and LBI Entertainment. Winter is repped by CAA and is currently working on the final season of HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire.”
Having already played the corner man to one of the greatest boxers of all-time, Jamie Foxx looks ready to get back in the ring to portray one of the most recognizable boxers and sports figures of this generation.
Sources tell Variety that Foxx is attached to play Mike Tyson in an untitled biopic that Terence Winter is set to pen. Rick Yorn, who is Foxx’s manager, is shepherding the project and will produce.
The package is still coming together and is currently without a studio, but once the final details are ironed out and it is presented to the market, it shouldn’t be hard to interest a distributor.
As one of the most polarizing figures in sports, producers are eager to tackle Tyson’s life story. Known for the power and ferocity he displayed in the ring, Tyson became not just the top boxer at the end of the ’80s but one of the most popular sports figures, with a rough around-the-edges personality he displayed both in and out of the ring.
After losing his heavyweight title in 1990 following the upset loss to Buster Douglas, Tyson’s life began to spin out of control, including a six-year stint in prison after being found guilty of rape. Tyson returned to boxing but never quite returned to form, and became more known for his losses to Evander Holyfied (a match which made headlines when Tyson bit off part of Holyfield’s ear) and Lennox Lewis.
After leaving boxing in 2005, Tyson still had hurdles to overcome, such as his 2003 bankruptcy and the death of his young daughter. In recent years, he has kept out of trouble.
He premiered a one-man show in Vegas in 2012 that he later took to Broadway with the help of Spike Lee and released a memoir “Undisputed Truth” that made the New York Times bestseller list.
Though it’s unknown exactly which parts of Tyson’s life Winter will focus on, he has plenty of material to cover over the past 30 years. HBO tackled the story before with the 1995 pic “Tyson” starring Michael Jai White, but no one has tried to adapt his story as a feature film, though boxing is a popular sport for films.
Foxx played Muhammad Ali’s corner man Dwight “Bundini” Brown in “Ali” and also cocky quarterback Willie Beamen in Oliver Stone’s “Any Given Sunday.” Winter, on the other hand, is no stranger to taking on controversial figures after receiving an Oscar nom for adaptation on Wall Street bad boy Jordan Belfort’s life in “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
Foxx can be seen next in Sony’s reboot of “Annie.” He is repped by CAA and LBI Entertainment. Winter is repped by CAA and is currently working on the final season of HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire.”
#3
DVD Talk God
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Re: Untitled Mike Tyson Biopic -- S: Jamie Foxx -- From the creator of Boardwalk Empi
With a little makeup and maybe some CGI, I can see Foxx pulling off Tyson.
Another story from a British paper said they plan to use the CGI people from Benjamin Button on this movie to help with Foxx's transformation.
Another story from a British paper said they plan to use the CGI people from Benjamin Button on this movie to help with Foxx's transformation.
#5
#6
Re: Untitled Mike Tyson Biopic -- S: Jamie Foxx -- From the creator of Boardwalk Empi
Not really interested in another Jamie Foxx impression that should have wound up on an In Living Color skit. Also ,Foxx is 47 years old, how the fuck is that gonna work?
Plus most biopics are usually trash.
Yeah fuck this movie altogether.
Plus most biopics are usually trash.
Yeah fuck this movie altogether.
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Re: Untitled Mike Tyson Biopic -- S: Jamie Foxx -- From the creator of Boardwalk Empi
Wow dude, WTF are you whining about. Not sure what you mean by another Jamie Foxx impression, you might want to explain that one. Also Foxx being 47 years old, ok so what is the problem there. Foxx is not old or can barely walk and is in pretty good shape. What exactly is the problem. Nothing as far as I can see.
#8
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Untitled Mike Tyson Biopic -- S: Jamie Foxx -- From the creator of Boardwalk Empi
Bring back Michael Jai White!
#9
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Re: Untitled Mike Tyson Biopic -- S: Jamie Foxx -- From the creator of Boardwalk Empi
Wow dude, WTF are you whining about. Not sure what you mean by another Jamie Foxx impression, you might want to explain that one. Also Foxx being 47 years old, ok so what is the problem there. Foxx is not old or can barely walk and is in pretty good shape. What exactly is the problem. Nothing as far as I can see.
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Re: Untitled Mike Tyson Biopic -- S: Jamie Foxx -- From the creator of Boardwalk Empi
No I just told the truth. Asking him to explain another Jamie Foxx impression and saying 47 isn't too old to play Mike Tyson isn't taking it too far the other direction. Get your eyes checked asap.
#12
Re: Untitled Mike Tyson Biopic -- S: Jamie Foxx -- From the creator of Boardwalk Empi
How about this:
Will Smith as Muhammed Ali
VS.
Jamie Foxx as Mike Tyson
Which is the better biopic?
Will Smith as Muhammed Ali
VS.
Jamie Foxx as Mike Tyson
Which is the better biopic?
#13
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: Untitled Mike Tyson Biopic -- S: Jamie Foxx -- From the creator of Boardwalk Empi
#17
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#18
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Untitled Mike Tyson Biopic -- S: Jamie Foxx -- From the creator of Boardwalk Empi
I don't think Foxx is right for this part. But then again this is Hollywood, so naturally Jamie Foxx is the only black actor available.
#19
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: Untitled Mike Tyson Biopic -- S: Jamie Foxx -- From the creator of Boardwalk Empi
Unless it's a post-career Tyson I really doubt it will work. A physically-fit guy in his late 40s simply isn't going to cut it as a career-era Tyson. I'm also really not a fan of Foxx's dramatic acting.
#20
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
#21
Re: Untitled Mike Tyson Biopic -- S: Jamie Foxx -- From the creator of Boardwalk Empi
Wow dude, WTF are you whining about. Not sure what you mean by another Jamie Foxx impression, you might want to explain that one. Also Foxx being 47 years old, ok so what is the problem there. Foxx is not old or can barely walk and is in pretty good shape. What exactly is the problem. Nothing as far as I can see.
#22
DVD Talk God
Thread Starter
Re: Untitled Mike Tyson Biopic -- S: Jamie Foxx -- From the creator of Boardwalk Empi
His Ray Charles role was essentially a comedy impression to me, there are a couple videos around of him busting it out for laughs. It was a caricature at best. The movie stunk too. The problem with Foxx being 47 years old is that Mike Tyson was Heavyweight Champion when he was 19 years old. He was 25 when he was arrested and prosecuted for Rape. Tyson Fought Holyfied when he was 29 years old. How is a 47 year old man supposed to play a 20 year old? There wouldn't be an ounce of credibility in that. Unless the biopic focuses on Tyson's Hangover cameo's the movie is a complete joke.
#23
Re: Untitled Mike Tyson Biopic -- S: Jamie Foxx -- From the creator of Boardwalk Empi
#24
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Untitled Mike Tyson Biopic -- S: Jamie Foxx -- From the creator of Boardwalk Empi
I'd rather see the biopic about Mac. He was really the first to beat Tyson.