It’s been a long time coming but pretty soon we can catch Jamie Foxx star as former heavyweight American champion boxer Mike Tyson.
In an Instagram Live Interview with producer Mark Birnbaum, Foxx explained why stories like these can take time to come to fruition. He says, “Doing biographies is a tough thing. Sometimes it takes 20 years to get it done but we officially got the ball rolling. I can’t wait to show people what it is.”
In order to get into character, Foxx has had to increase his workouts to go from 216 pounds to 230 pounds for filming. On top of adding muscle, special effects on the project will enhance Foxx’s look and make his resemblance to Tyson more realistic. Foxx says, “The technology of how I’m going to look, I guarantee you people will run up to me in the streets and ask me for autographs and think that I’m Mike.”
Foxx and Tyson are just a year apart in age. Jamie had a first hand view of Mike’s story watching his ups and downs in his career and home life. As far as impersonations go, Foxx is the perfect person to tell Mike’s story. Foxx says, “I think everyone young and old will be able to understand this man’s journey.”
Stay tuned for more information on the biopic. Watch Foxx and Birnbaum’s interview below.