According to Variety, Jamie Foxx is going to play Mike Tyson in a “biographical limited series” about the boxer with Antoine Fuqua directing and Martin Scorsese apparently on board as an executive producer. As prestige-friendly as that all sounds, though, the project also counts Tyson himself among its executive producers, which invites certain assumptions about what the tone of this thing may end up being (or even what sort of content it may cover). The Variety story says it will “span the whole of Tyson’s life,” but it’s unclear if that includes the abuse allegations that have been raised against Tyson or his rape conviction in the early ‘90s. It would almost be difficult not to mention that, but with Tyson executive producing and a famous, beloved actor playing him… it’s hard to predict how this will land.
No networks or streamers are involved yet, and the pilot will be written by Colin Peterson. Variety also points out that this is the second Mike Tyson project to be announced in the last month, with the other—a Hulu limited series that does not have Tyson’s involvement—being denounced as “inappropriate” and “tone deaf” by the boxer. The Hulu one, titled Iron Mike, comes from I, Tonya’s Steven Rogers, Craig Gillespie, and Margot Robbie, with Rogers writing, Gillespie directing, and Robbie producing.
18 Comments
I’ll keep an ear out for more details!(and bad puns like that are why I get to populate the greys on AVClub!)
absolutely bonkers to think he was doing mike tyson back on in living color
I can’t believe Foxx is 53! Love his work – right now I’m thinking of his “Assassination Coach” in Horrible Bosses. I don’t support boxing but I’m sure his will be an excellent portrayal.
My first thought was how he’s come full circle from his breakout role in Ali. Then, my immediate second thought was to that infamous roast where the guy tried to make a joke about it and Jamie Foxx just hijacked his whole bit.
Isn’t Jamie Foxx well into his fifties and not terribly buff? Unless he’s actually playing someone else I’m not really getting that casting.
Nothing a lil make-up magic and body transformation can’t fix. Plus Foxx looks like he barely aged in 15 years. Seems like he is getting ripped during the quarantine as well. Dude will crush the role.
Yeah he got yoked for this role.
He’s better suited to play Tyson than Margot Robbie, at least.
Not terribly buff? Did I watch a different Black Panther movie?
You know the headline was right there, Sam. Friends, AV Club & Countrymen Lend Me Your Ear
Oh, oh, I want to make a pun too! The ear ones have already been represented pretty well though . . . . Ok. I got one.
Mike Tyson is a convicted rapist!
It’s funny ‘cause it’s true!
Fuck this bullshit.
If only there were black guys in 18th century Scotland – then he could have a role in Outlander.
Oh man, say “There can be only one!” in Mike Tyson voice. I just made myself lol at work.
Some people have been sort of grandfathered into acceptance and forgiveness. Oh Mike Tyson was raping in the 80s, that’s ok it was a different time.
Love that 14th century outlook on rehabilitation.
It’s the “convicted” part that generally gives Tyson a pass. He went to trial, was found guilty and did actual, no bullshit prison time. Most of the people involved in #MeToo accusations got a slap on the wrist and some lost revenue when they got fired from various projects at worst. As much as I want sexual assaulters held accountable, I also believe that America is a nightmare when it comes to holding people (Black people especially) accountable well past when their prison sentences end.
Finally, a role Foxx can really sink his teeth into.
Yeah. Let’s glorify more rapists because there is absolutely no one else out there, certainly no women (lol at the thought!), who have interesting stories that could be told instead. Love it, Hollywood, love it. So on-brand!