One of the most promising biographical projects actively in development has been Jamie Foxx's long-gestating Mike Tyson biopic, in which the Oscar-winning actor is set to play the boxing legend and marijuana enthusiast. As it turns out, though, a few changes took place behind the scenes, and that project is now set to become a TV show, and one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, Martin Scorsese, is taking on a role in the creative team.
Jamie Foxx is officially set to lead the new project, simply dubbed Tyson, as both its star and as an executive producer. The limited TV series is set to cover the entirety of Mike Tyson's controversial life, so we can count on hearing about more casting news for whoever will play Tyson as a younger man. Any reports in that vein will no doubt give fans a better idea of what key moments from Tyson's career will make their way to the small screen. I'm guessing it'll gear pretty heavily towards his actual boxing career, and less so on his Comedy Central Roast hijinks.
But it's not like Mike Tyson became less interesting after he hung up his gloves, especially since he put those gloves back on in 2020 for an exhibition fight against Roy Jones Jr. and made a ton of money for his new company in the process. Tyson has also been hosting a popular podcast/video series interviewing celebs and athletes about all subjects under the sun, on top of making sporadic appearances on TV and in films here and there.
Jamie Foxx and Martin Scorsese will both serve as executive producers on Tyson, as will filmmaker Antoine Fuqua, who knows a bit about filming boxing scenes as the director of 2015's Southpaw. Fuqua will also take on directorial duties for the limited series, and Mike Tyson's partners at his company Legends Only League, Sophie Watts and John Ryan Jr., will also be executive producing. Tyson will be written by Colin Preston, who already penned the pilot and is now set to tackle the rest of the episodes.
Here's what Mike Tyson had to say about the new project in the official announcement.
I have been looking to tell my story for quite some time. With the recent launch of Legends Only League and the excitement from fans following my return to the ring, now feels like the perfect moment. I look forward to collaborating with Martin, Antoine, Jamie, and the entire creative team to bring audiences a series that not only captures my professional and personal journey but also inspires and entertains.
With his voice heard by millions of people in the last year via Disney/Pixar's Soul, Jamie Foxx is already set to boost his TV career back up in the very near future with the Netflix comedy Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!, which is set to debut on April 14. He's also welcome to return for any capacity as part of ABC's Live in Front of a Studio Audience specials.
With no network or streaming service yet in place, Tyson will no doubt cause a bidding war before it eventually finds its home. Here's hoping the project will be a total knockout wherever it lands.
