No casting news as of yet for King Hippo, but semi-retired boxer Mike Tyson, better known these days for his tribal facial tattoo and a taste for human ear, says that his friend Jamie Foxx will take on his life story in a theatrical biopic…
“I have a movie on the verge of happening, probably in two years from now,” Tyson, 41, said Thursday before giving a speech at the Summit View Youth Correctional Facility in North Las Vegas. “Me and Jamie Foxx are going to do a collaboration. He’s going to play me in my life story. We’ve talked about it many times.”
Some news outlets are expressing doubt over this casting rumor, and being that Tyson once told a man he was going to eat his babies and didn’t (wimp), that’s understandable. But this project did not suddenly go POOF! in Tyson’s head. Foxx even lauded its potential to the press when doing the rounds for Jarhead, telling About.com…
…I think the Mike Tyson story is the most interesting thing. I think that’s the most interesting story that you don’t know. Nobody knows the stuff that I know. The stuff that I found out. It would blow your mind. Mike Tyson gives you phrases that if you listen to it, it’ll blow your mind.
They said, ‘Mike, how do you feel?’ and he said (imitating Tyson’s voice) ‘I’m happy. I’m more happy now I don’t have any money.’ And they said, ‘Why Michael?’ [As Tyson] ‘I don’t have to worry about anything. I’m just here.’ And it was an Interview, I don’t know if you saw it, and he was with a kid. And he was teaching the kid how to box. He stopped and said, ‘I’m so happy. I’m so glad I don’t have any more money so I don’t have to worry about it anymore. Nobody has to do me wrong. Nobody has to, you know, F me over. I’m just glad.’
I said, ‘That’s where you go.’
As much as I look forward to seeing Foxx guest on Conan O’Brien’s show, I’m not a big fan of his dramatic work, especially in Miami Vice. This role offers just the right amount of crazy for Foxx to perfect it, and if ever the world of boxing had a figure with a Charles Manson-like ability to establish fear, not just in his opponents, but in millions of kids, it was Iron Mike. It’s quite an epic story. But really, I just want to see Foxx as Mike acting a fool as he plays Mike Tyson’s Punch Out for the first time on an NES. This could work.
Discuss: Who better than Foxx to play Tyson in your estimation? And is there another boxer with a better story arch more deserving of a film? Did you ever beat Mike Tyson in NES Punch Out? Also, remember that time Tyson actually (as in really) slapped Robert Downey Jr. in James Toback’s Black and White?Â
Source Link: RJ
February 29th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
just what hollywood needs. Another Jamie Foxx biopic and another boxing movie. Not to mention another boxing Jamie Foxx biopic.
February 29th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Biopics are the worst genre ever created. They are boring, formulaic, pointless, and as God says “only a showcase for actors, nothing more”. Oh, and the only movie Jamie Foxx was good in was Jarhead and even in that he was kind of annoying. F*** this movie and anyone who wants to see it.
February 29th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Did you really call Tyson a wimp? Could you be more of a journalistic joke? How did you get a job writing for this website, asscrack?
February 29th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
umm there was already a TV movie about Tyson’s life lol is this one going to instead, cover the years he was in jail?
February 29th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
@ Pat
The TV movie was ridiculous and hardly anyone remembers it. Now the HBO Don King movie with Ving Rhames? That is def worth a watch.
February 29th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I agree. I hate biopics and they need to stop. It’s also irratating how they are so highly praised come awards season. As if the academy is honoring the person rather than the actual film.
February 29th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
@ Patrick Bateman, Vega Bro, and Gah,
Biopics tend to be high gloss shite, yes, but here’s the thing: Do you really think Mike Tyson will want to have a “safe” biopic made about him? His story is as interesting, lewd and ruthless as Larry Flynt’s, and TPVSLF was still a pretty good movie and pretty great by biopic standards.
I’m sure there are a few high caliber directors who would like to give this a shot, and if so, I wouldn’t count it out just yet and bunch it in with the pack.
February 29th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Ya I remember the made for TV biopic, didn’t that star Michael Jai White as tyson? Quite honestly I think that’s more than enough in 1 lifetime for Mike Tyson. Let’s get a biopic of Barak Obama staring Jamie Foxx with Tiger Woods playing Jaime foxx and Michael Clark Duncan as Mike Tyson trying to get his biopic made. =P
February 29th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
I’m sorry, but Mike Tyson is an absolute idiot and I have plenty of evidence to back that up. The fact that people continue to try and boost his legacy after all of the stupid and terrible shit he’s done is beyond me.
February 29th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I don’t think you have to like or respect someone to watch a biopic about them. You can’t whitewash history and Mike Tyson definitely contributed to the world of sports like few before and after him. If Frank Lucas can get a movie made about his life, Tyson deserves one with an equal amount of talent involved.
March 1st, 2008 at 12:33 am
Yeah, Im sure a Tyson biopic would be so scandalous considering he’s still alive, is frineds with the star and has a hand in the production. Something tells me we’re not going to get an accurate picture of the man.
March 1st, 2008 at 3:12 pm
@ yay
Yeah, but I almost want to see a “poor Mike” biopic more. Can you imagine? Haha.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:51 am
Ya I beat Mike Tyson in “Mike Tyson’s Punch-out”! It wasn’t easy, it took weeks of practicing and studying it to beat it, but I did it!
I wonder who would play Mac in the movie!? :-)
March 5th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Why is everyone against biopics?
Sure, there have been some shit ones, but there are some really great ones too.
Control, the Ian Curtis film, is amazing.
Granted, the last boxing biopic i saw (Ali w/ Will Smith) was an absolute tragedy, but then again, so is Will Smith in general.
I’m not really excited about Jamie Foxx playing the role, it might be hard to take him seriously as a tough guy, considering he isnt one.
I haven;t seen that “Ray” Film yet, purely because i had no interest in it, so i can;t comment on Foxx’s ability to play historical character based roles, however im sceptical of his ability to play Iron Mike.
Regardless, im excited about the movie because Mike Tyson certainly is an interesting man.
I just hope they think outside the box for the title. if it is released as “Mike”, or “Tyson” or even “Iron Mike”, then im going to suggest they put some new fish in the think tank.
March 20th, 2008 at 2:52 am
What are you lot on about??? Mike Tyson is a legend! Sure hes done wrong and is an ex convict but hes always done things his on way and trained hard for what he believes in. And id love to see one of you say this to iorn mikes tattoo. As for biopics in general i think there has been some brilliant ones. Ali is a masterpiece and will smith does it justice.
March 25th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
This is Mike tyson. I don’t see what i have done to offend you people. How i am is me. If you cant accept that then dont, but if you have something to say about me, then id love to hear it. My past life expiriences have developed me into the person that i am who has never been successful soicially. If any of the public here has a problem with me, i would like to arrange a meeting so i could stomp on your fucking head until you stop moving.
All the best,
Mike
April 8th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Well, for change of pace I think this is an amazing idea. I am a big fan of Mike Tyson as a boxer. He was unreal at a time and had he been guided in the right path and kept there he would have been the best boxer of all time hands down. So, he does absolutely deserve this film. Also, Jamie Foxx is one of the most talented entertainers in the world. He is an extremely funny comedian. He is a fantastic singer and musician, and is a natural talent on screen as an actor. His ability to lstudy and learn a person and them act them as if he were them is extremely entertaining and amazingly talented. I think he is very underrated and this will be a very good film I believe.