Mike Tyson Wants Jamie Foxx To Play Him In Biopic
Apr 24, 2009 by Ross MillerThere’s been whispers of a Mike Tyson biopic for quite a while now, but it’s mostly just been wishful thinking. However, in a recent interview …
There’s been whispers of a Mike Tyson biopic for quite a while now, but it’s mostly just been wishful thinking. However, in a recent interview with the man himself, Tyson mentioned who he wants to play him: none other than Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx.
Tyson’s life is portrayed in a non-fiction documentary released today, aptly titled Tyson, but what the man is talking about with Jamie Foxx is a fictionalized version of his life, with drama and everything…
Here’s what the man himself had to say about the project and the prospect of Foxx portraying him:
“It’s gonna’ be [about me]. It’s gonna’ be Jamie Foxx portraying me in a life story… I don’t know [who might direct],” he said. “Jamie discussed the things he wanted to do. He didn’t know which way he wanted to go, but it was something he wanted to do. He told me not to tell anybody [too much]. He’s just interested in doing it.”
Most who know about Tyson will know he’s had one heck of a life, one which should make for one interesting film should it ever get made. If Foxx were to play Tyson, it may be another one of those roles which demands mental and physical strain. In his upcoming role as a homeless schizophrenic in The Soloist, Foxx has said playing the role was extremely tough, even having to go so far as to get therapy to recover from it.
I don’t claim to be an authority on all things Mike Tyson, but even for a non-boxing fan like myself, details about some of the stuff in his life have been hard to miss. A movie about the life of the man may be a winner on both sides of the fence: those who know a lot about him already will enjoy seeing a dramatized version, and those who know very little can use it as a sort of history lesson.
See, we all win…
Foxx is one of the few comedians-turned-actors-turned-R&B Singers that actually has genuine acting talent, which he’s shown with such things as his Oscar-winning performance in Ray (also a biopic), Collateral and Miami Vice. I don’t think he’d be my absolute first choice to play Tyson, but he certainly wouldn’t be a bad pick.
For now, it sounds like this is more a case of Tyson just wanting this to happen rather than it being anywhere near actually getting made. But the fact that Foxx has expressed interest in the project inspires a little more confidence than it otherwise would have. I wonder if it will be treated with the seriousness of other boxing biopics such as Raging Bull, The Hurricane and Ali (which Foxx, coincidentally, co-starred in) or if it will be unlike any biopic we’ve seen before.
I’m sure such a man demands such a thing…
Do you like the idea of a Mike Tyson biopic? Do you think Foxx would be a good choice to portray him?
For more real life Mike, you can check out the Tyson documentary, which opens in theaters today.
Source: MTV
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Tyson already has a biopic about his younger years, I remember watching it a long time ago. As for Foxx playing Tyson, im not against the idea but how many biopics is this man gonna be in? he’s aready portrayed two figures in film, 3 if you include his role in Ali.
i would like this, i hope its hope its as good as “Ali” was, but i really hope they put in the whole issue of him bitting off “that boxer’s” ear.
Michael Jai White (sp?)
looks like a younger Tyson a lot more than Foxx, but he does great work so all the best if this happens
I think there should be another biopic about Mike Tyson. However, I don’t think it should happen yet. I just get feeling there will be a few more ups and downs in his life that would make the film better.
To be honest though, I was a big Tyson fan back in the day & I hope, for his sake, there aren’t any more downs.
almanza,
Michael Jai White already played him in the HBO biopic that was made years ago. I doubt they would use him again. Besides, I don’t think he has the acting chops to really make the role something special.
Foxx obviously has the foul mouth to play Tyson, but there is no way he can get big enough to play a convincing heavyweight champion. Even on steroids/gh it would take years of training to get big enough, and at Foxx’s age – 41- it probably wouldnt happen at all. Too old to play young Miike, too small to play in-his-prime Mike.
Michael, I totally agree. Foxx is a talented actor, but no way does he have the physicality or youth for this role.
Foxx Doesn’t really look anything like tyson and looks more like a Light Weight boxer than a Heavyweight. Plus I think Foxx is way overrated as an actor. I laughed my ass off when I heard he was doing a drama flick about Ray Charles because sorry he just isn’t that great of an actor. Not only is he just average, but it’s impossible to take the guy serious. Oh and really your gonna mention him being talented and then mention Miami vice ?
@Daniel F,
I’m not saying he’s the greatest actor in the world or anything, but he’s a GOOD actor. Even though I REALLY disliked Miami Vice, I thought both Foxx and Colin Farrell were great in it. Foxx was very, VERY good in Collateral, and the Oscar speaks for itself with Ray.
To be honest I’ve never been impressed, but also to be fair I simply can’t take him seriously no matter how hard a try. I mean with things like In living Color , and Booty Call I’ll never be able to take him seriously as an actor especially after Booty Call.
Im tired of people not giving comedic actors their due. You do what you know to make a name for yourself then u try something else. Case in point Marlon Wayans. Big freaking deal he’s mostly comedy acting, ITS WHAT HE LIKES, but he can be dramatic case in point Requim For a Dream. Good points with the films u mentioned Ross Miller.
sin,
another good example maybe tom hanks, didnt he do stand up comedy? and look at him now, hes one of the best actors in the business
Eric Bana was ALSO a stand-up comedian, believe it or not, before he became an actor.
ross,
are you serious? wow, i would have never have guessed that
SIN187UM it’s not as simple as a comedic actor thing. Plenty of actors have done Comedic roles and made the transition just fine. This is far more than just that. It’s the type of comedy it’s the sad pathetic state of the movies that he did. Tom Hanks did comedies and they were actually funny and clever. Foxx did stuff that was pure 100% trash and was terrible in it. It’s hard to think of some one as very talented when you were introduced to them being horrible. He did movies that had bad writing and directing and he was still the worst part of them.
As long as the biopic shows Mike Tyson as the idiot that he is, it’ll be good.
I’m with SIN187UM here, it is not that easy to pull off comedic timing or even be “funny”. Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip (one of the greatest shows ever btw) showed that it is serious work trying to do comedy. Good original comedy.
As for Foxx, I’m not gonna dogg on him because I grew up watching this guy on In Living Color. In fact, all the cast members on In Living Color have the acting chops to pull off serious-dramatic-roles: Carrey, Damon Wayans, Keenan, Marlon, Tommy Davidson (never got his just due), and the female leads.
Daniel F, I hear what you are saying, but understand that a film like Booty Call is just a silly-fun movie, and at the time what else can a black actor get made or do if it wasn’t either a gangsta/hood film, a sex-crazed comedy, or be the Token black guy in action films who swears for comic relief. Work in the system to get work. Lets say this dude Danny McBride, he does a serious great job in a heavily dramatic role in 10 years from now. You gonna fault him because he made stupid-ass movie like Foot Fist Way years back?
Actually,
I’m hoping to see the release of the Wilt Chamberlain bio-pic! That, to me sounds like a much better picture. 100pts. and 20,000 women!