George Foreman has received the biopic treatment.
On Wednesday, Sony Pictures released the official trailer for Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World. Announced in 2021, the film will focus on Foreman’s journey to becoming one of the most iconic sports figures, highlighting everything from his gold medal-winning fight at the 1968 Olympics to his legendary Rumble in the Jungle match against Muhammad Ali to his 1994 comeback, which saw him become the oldest world heavyweight champion in history.
Big George Foreman is directed by George Tillman Jr. and stars Khris Davis (Judas and the Black Messiah) as the titular boxer.
Tillman Jr. told Deadline, “We went through an extensive search across the world to find someone who could channel George, and ultimately, Khris was the only one who could encapsulate his journey so effortlessly as he went from one of boxing’s most feared fighter to retirement only to achieve one of the most astonishing comebacks at age 45.”
Tillman co-wrote the screenplay alongside Frank Baldwin. Big George Foreman also stars Jasmine Mathews, Sullivan Jones, Lawrence Gilliard Jr, John Magaro, Sonja Sohn, and Forest Whitaker, who plays Foreman’s trainer/mentor Doc Broadus.
“I’m excited to work with Forest, as I’ve wanted to work with him for as long as I can remember,” Tillman Jr. said following the Oscar-winner’s casting. “I’m so inspired by his talents and his vast body of work. I’m thrilled that he’s joining our cast to play the iconic role of Doc Broadus as we embark on this journey to tell the incredible true story of George Foreman.”
The much-anticipated biopic was originally scheduled to release in September 2022 before being pushed back to March 31. Sony has since confirmed the film will hit theaters on April 28.
