Mike Tyson is not just a sports icon but is also a cultural icon. His life story is a fascinating tale, marred with glories and controversies. His story is being brought on-screen now by Jamie Foxx.
The actor was speculated to star in the film six years ago on 2014, though it got stuck in development. After years of work and speculation, finally the film is going to happen. Jamie himself confirmed this via a live Instagram session with director, Mark Birnbaum.
Talking about the film, he said –
“It’s a definitive yes. Doing biographies is a tough thing. Sometimes it takes 20 years to get them done, but we officially got the real ball rolling.”
In his chat with Mark Birnbaum, Jamie further revealed how as a 22 year old, he met Mike Tyson for the first time and how it turned out to be weird encounter for him. He spoke –
“I met Mike Tyson in the weirdest way, I was on stage doing stand-up years ago. I get to my Mike Tyson joke and nobody claps, nobody laughs. You know why? Because Mike Tyson was watching.”
The audience urging him to continue the joke, led the Django Unchained star to finally crack the joke, which got him a standing ovation from the audience and Mike himself.
While, it will certainly be a big thing hanging out with a legend like Mike Tyson, Jamie got the opportunity and discovered different aspects to the boxer’s personality. Describing those moments Foxx articulated-
“So I started hanging out with Mike Tyson so I got to see Mike in two different ways, two different lives. I saw him at the height of his career and then when things got bad, things got bumpy, I also saw him as well, so what I’m excited about the movie is to show those moments of the different Mike.”
Further in his conversation, the actor described how they want to show each aspect of Mike’s life. Various phases of the boxer’s life will be covered and as per Foxx, his evolution will be captured.
As the role will demand intense physical preparation from Jamie, he is relishing the opportunity and is already working on it. His routine includes 60 pull-ups, 60 dips, and 100 push-ups every other day.
In the ensuing conversation, he said that technology will be used heavily on the film. He said about the use of effects:
“I guarantee you, people will run up on me in the street and ask for an autograph and think that I’m Mike.”
Though the film is still in development, Jamie has already started his preparation. Let us hope that the project will serve justice to Mike Tyson’s story.