Some of the greats of Black American history, from Malcom X to Sam Cooke, are gathered together in Regina King’s One Night In Miami. The historical fiction film came out on January 15 through Amazon Prime Video, and features powerhouse performances from established actors and up-and-comers alike.
Eli Goree, who plays Muhammad Ali, spoke to Screen Rant about the surprisingly long time he’s prepared to become Cassius Clay and the hard work it takes to step into the ring as him.
You portrayed Cassius Clay, Muhammad Ali, and it was a spitting image. You truly channel him in this film with all your wit and charm. Can you talk to me about the audition process and Regina's initial reactions after you auditioned for the role?
Eli Goree: Thank you. For me, the audition process started long before this film was even around. I originally audition for to play Muhammad Ali in a film that Ang Lee was directing. I didn't get it, and then I decided that I was going to continue to just work on the role. I thought another opportunity would come. I started preparing to do a play called Fetch Clay, Make Man, where I thought I would get a chance to do it for the Fringe Festival. After preparing for that, this opportunity came.
By the time I had actually gotten a chance to read for this, I was really well prepared in terms of doing my version of Cassius. I did one audition for Kim Hardin, and then she brought me in to test for Regina and to do a screen test with Aldus. She was really happy with me, and she said that she was really impressed with the fact that I was staying in character in between takes and in between scenes - just in talking to the cast and talking to her.
But the thing that I think really solidified it was, when I was doing my final scene with Aldus, I was trying to force a lot of things and trying to do all kinds of little actor tricks. She told me to cut all that stuff and was just like, "You don't have to do all that. Just cut that out. Just listen to him and speak back. You're talking to your brother." When she said that, I just tried it again, and it felt like it really just connected. She thought so as well, and from that moment on, I felt like that was it.
Your footwork and the way you move as Cassius Clay is remarkable. Can you talk to me about the challenges of some of his mannerisms in the ring?
Eli Goree: It's incredible when you really think about it. Obviously, I'm not a professional athlete. But this is a guy who's moving around like a lightweight, like you would expect Ryan Garcia or Gervonta Davis or Floyd Mayweather to move around. And he's 220 pounds, which is not normal. Guys don't move like that at that size, and they're not that fast or agile.
So, it was a challenge for me, because I'm an actor trying my best. I was grateful that I had our fight coordinator, who also did the coordination for Creed and for the Claressa Shields Story; that I had my personal trainer Kenneth, who helped me get my physique to the proper place and represent that. It was just a lot of hard work, and I hope I honored it at some level.
