Mike Tyson proved himself to be one of the most compelling figures in pop culture with his wildly successful one-man show Undisputed Truth and the corresponding Spike Lee-directed HBO special. Now, the former professional boxer is setting his sights on the big screen.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Tyson revealed that the candle still burns on his long-awaited biopic, and that Jamie Foxx will play him. "Me and Jamie Foxx are in discussion, and we gonna do it," said Tyson, 48. "Within a year to 18 months, we're going to do the Mike Tyson story and he's going to portray me, and now they have this new animation; because you know Jamie's pretty much my age so he can't portray me but they have this new system."
The "new system" Tyson claims will help Foxx, 46, play Tyson in his heyday (from age 15-25) involves the same CGI technology that reverse-aged Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Foxx has openly talked about his desire to portray the heavyweight champ since 2009. Most recently, he told Live With Kelly and Michael, "I got a chance to hang out with Mike when Mike was at his height, and I watched [him] go from his height to where he is now, and I talked to him about doing his story."
He added, "I think that story would be fantastic...and I had my makeup artist dress me up as Mike Tyson. People were literally coming up asking for autographs. So hopefully, Mike, if you're listening, let's make history."
Tyson seems intent on immortalizing his tumultuous life in media these days. Apart from his one-man show and HBO special, he recently announced an animated series centered on him to be launched soon on Comedy Central. Hopefully the biopic will come to life before fans O.D. on the K.O. King.
