Muhammad Ali returns to the screen with the biggestthe first authorized fiction series about his life. Prime Video premiered the production, composed by eight episodesthe past November 4and you can now see it in full on the platform. The series goes beyond the fights that made him a legend to focus on the man behind the myth: his family, his convictions and the events that marked his early years as a boxer.
Let’s see who is behind this project, because it is not just any production. The series has Lonnie Alithe boxer’s widow, as executive producer, along with Michael B. Jordanwho comes to this job after winning the Oscar for best leading actor for his double role in Sinners. Jordan, also known for playing Adonis Creed in the saga creedlinked to the Rocky universe, thus participates in a production dedicated to another boxing legend.
Prime Video premieres «“The Greatest”: shows Muhammad Ali’s decisive years outside the ring
The fiction focuses on the formative years of Muhammad Alihis relationship with his family and the personal convictions that marked his career. The story begins after gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics and traces his rise until he won the world heavyweight title in 1964. During those years, the young Cassius Clay also had to face the racial and political conflicts in the United States.
The life of Muhammad Ali I had already come to the cinema before in Alithe film directed by Michael Mann and starring Will Smith. the biggest takes a different approach: he prioritizes his family circle and his social concerns, with episodes dedicated to the relationship he had with Malcolm Xplayed in the series by Michael Ealy. The production thus combines sport, politics and family life throughout its eight episodes.
Jaalen Best plays Muhammad Ali and heads the cast of the series
Jaalen Best is responsible for giving life to Muhammad Ali. The actor had already participated in series such as American Horror Stories, Magnum P.I. and All American: Homecomingalthough this role represents his most important leading role to date in a biographical production. Until now, Best had developed his career mainly with supporting roles, so this series represents a significant leap in his career.
The rest of the cast covers the boxer’s family and professional circle. Omari Hardwick plays Cassius Clay Sr., his father, and Dana Gourrier plays his mother, Odessa Clay. Kai Parham plays his brother, Rudy Clay, while Amin Joseph takes on the role of Sonny Listonone of his great rivals in the ring. Michael Ealy completes the cast as Malcolm X, and Giovanni Ribisi plays Angelo Dundeethe coach who accompanied the champion for a good part of his career.
Muhammad Ali is endorsed by Michael B. Jordan and Lonnie Ali
The participation of Lonnie Ali in the production team is one of the elements that distinguishes the biggest as the first authorized fictional series about her husband’s life. Although the history of Muhammad Ali had already inspired other films and documentaries, this production has the endorsement of his official legacy and access to their biographical heritage. The project is created by Ben Watkinsalso responsible for the creative direction of the series, and has Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society production company, which is committed to exploring the most personal moments of one of the great figures in the history of sports.
