Michael Clarke Duncan And S. Epatha Merkerson Join The Challenger

While Michael Clarke Duncan can currently be seen on Fox’s Bones spin-off The Finder, the actor clearly isn’t through with feature work. His latest film credits include the Robert Townsend’s In the Hive, Pierre Bagley’s From the Rough, and now a boxing movie called The Challenger.

It was announced today that Duncan is set to play a role in Kent Moran’s boxing drama film The Challenger. Moran is not only set to write and direct the film, but he’ll also star in it, playing a “struggling Bronx auto mechanic” named Jaden Miller, who has to return to the ring after he and his adopted mother are evicted from their home. Duncan has been cast to play a legendary trainer who will hopefully help Miller save his family from having to live on the streets. 


While Duncan’s currently starring in The Finder, many will likely remember him for his roles in Armageddon and The Green Mile. It’ll definitely be interesting to see the actor take on the role of a trainer. He's certainly proven to be able to take ok a serious role, but I always associate him with his trademark smile.

Also cast in the film is Law & Order’s S. Epatha Merkerson, though the announcement doesn’t specify what role she’ll be playing. Merkerson’s upcoming credits also include a part in Spielberg’s Lincoln (starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Daniel Day-Lewis and Tommy Lee Jones). She and Duncan join Justin Hartley, Ernie Sabella, and Lindsay Hartley in The Challenger, which is set to begin filming in New York City this month.