LeBron James producing Muhammad Ali documentary for HBO
LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers star, will be the executive producer of an HBO documentary on Muhammad Ali. The said documentary is yet to be named. It will be directed by Antoine Fuqua, who also helmed the boxing drama "Southpaw" and "Training Day."
LeBron James is known as a longtime admirer of Ali. Recently, he pledged a $2.5 million donation to a new exhibit on Ali at the Smithsonian Institution.
In an interview, James said that it means so much to him to be part the said project honoring the legacy and telling the extremely important story of the great Muhammad Ali. "He transcended sports and used his platform to empower people, who paved the way for all athletes and people of every race and gender that came after him, me included. It's important that his story continues for generations to come."
Lone Ali, Ali’s widow, expressed that this documentary will have national and global appeal. “We are at a perfect time in history, and in our lives as Americans, to welcome this special documentary on Muhammad with LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s SpringHill Entertainment and HBO.”
James' SpringHill Entertainment, which he co-founded with business partner and close friend Maverick Carter, will produce the multipart film. HBO says the documentary will "explore Ali's greatest triumphs and comebacks, painting an intimate portrait of a man who, against all odds, dreamed and achieved the impossible, over and over again."
HBO reveals that it will combine archival footage with cinematic recreations to tell Ali’s story. Ali’s family will also be participating in the said film.
Ali passed away on June of this year due to a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease. There is currently no release date for the documentary.