HBO sets Muhammad Ali docu from Fuqua, James
‘Rectify’ worthwhile drama
LOS ANGELES, Dec 13, (Agencies): King James is set to tell the story of The Greatest.
Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James will be the executive producer of an HBO documentary on Muhammad Ali, who died earlier this year. The as-yet-untitled film will be directed by Antoine Fuqua, who also helmed the boxing drama “Southpaw” and “Training Day.” Fuqua will also produce.
James has been a longtime admirer of Ali, the boxing great and social activist. James recently pledged a $2.5 donation to a new exhibit on Ali at the Smithsonian Institution.
“It’s tough to put into words how much it means to me to be a part of this project honoring the legacy and telling the extremely important story of the great Muhammad Ali,” he said. “He transcended sports and used his platform to empower people, which paved the way for all athletes and people of every race and gender that came after him, myself included. It’s important that his story continues for generations to come.”
James’ Springhill Entertainment, which he co-founded with business partner and close friend Maverick Carter, will produce the multipart film. HBO says the documentary will “explore Ali’s greatest triumphs and comebacks, painting an intimate portrait of a man who, against all odds, dreamed and achieved the impossible, over and over again.”
HBO said it will combine archival footage with cinematic recreations to tell Ali’s story.
Ali’s family is also participating in the project, and his widow, Lonnie Ali, was excited about James’ involvement.
“This documentary will have national and global appeal,” she said. “I’m hopeful this documentary will engage the audience in a similar way Muhammad engaged his audience and fans. Without a doubt, Muhammad’s life journey provides simple yet extraordinary lessons for all of us, with perhaps the most important one being, to see and embrace the humanity in all people.”
Ali died June 3 at the age of 74.
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Each week, Variety’s TV team combs through the week’s TV schedule, selecting our picks of what to watch and when/how to watch it. The Golden Globes nominations were announced this morning, but before award season 2017 kicks off — and the holidays! — there’s still more TV to catch this year. “America’s Next Top Model” Cycle 23 struts onto the catwalk with a new host (Rita Ora is in for Tyra Banks), new judges’ panel (model Ashley Graham, celebrity stylist Law Roach and Paper Magazine’s Drew Elliott) and a new home on VH1. The format feels similar, but slight changes give the show a modernized makeover. Speaking to Variety about the new season, VH1 and MTV exec Nina Diaz said, “We felt like the fashion and the social nature of modeling at this stage felt like a right time for a renewed marriage between the two brands.” “Rock the Troops” Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson hosts this special, which welcomes a who’s-who of celebrity guests and musical performers to entertain the people who defend the US every day. Filmed on location at Pearl Harbor, the massive event welcomed 50,000 servicemen and women and their families, who were greeted by the likes of Kevin Hart, Terry Crews, Melissa McCarthy, Nick Jonas and more. “Empire” The fall finale of broadcast’s top TV show is here, and if you know anything about the Lyon family, you know it’s going to be juicy. Even though Taraji P. Henson was snubbed in this morning’s Golden Globes nominations, there’s no doubt Cookie will be in full force while she’s helping her man Angelo (Taye Diggs) work to win the mayoral bid.
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