Mike Tyson Has Harsh Words About An Upcoming Biopic
Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson is not the type to mince his words when he has strong feelings.
Mike, the series biopic produced by Hulu charting the soaring highs and controversial lows of Mike Tyson’s heavyweight boxing career and life is set to premiere on August 25th. Given the extraordinary nature of Tyson’s life, the series will undoubtedly draw a lot of attention from those wanting to get to know the real Mike Tyson. However, Deadline reports that the real Mike Tyson has had some harsh words about the upcoming biopic.
Mike Tyson took to Instagram to express his fury regarding the new Hulu project. The former boxing champ claims that Hulu stole his life story and that he doesn’t endorse the series whatsoever, as well as this, he likens Hulu to a ‘Slave Master.’ Tyson is never one to mince his words, but even for him, the statement is incredibly damning. Tyson has previously posted on Instagram how UFC president Dana White had been offered money to contribute to Hulu’s Mike, but White allegedly refused out of loyalty to Tyson.
The Wrap reports that Mike Tyson wasn’t consulted by Hulu because his life rights had already been sold, meaning that there was no legal obligation for Mike series creator Steven Rogers and his crew to avoid speaking to Tyson at all. The project’s showrunner, Karen Gist, spoke at Hulu’s Television Critics Tour panel earlier this week to address Tyson’s lack of involvement as well, saying “We just wanted to tell an unbiased story and have the audience decide what they think or feel.”
Mike Tyson may be enraged that Hulu has pushed ahead with Mike – starring Moonlight star Trevante Rhodes as Tyson – but there is another biopic about his life in the works that he does approve of. For some time now, Jamie Foxx has been slated to be leading a Mike Tyson biopic. Instead of Mike, Foxx will be starring in a biopic series called Tyson, which Variety learned last year would be directed and executive produced by Training Day director Antoine Fuqua. Martin Scorsese was also said to be onboard as an executive producer. Tyson himself was quoted as being in support of the Foxx project, saying; “I look forward to collaborating with Martin, Antoine, Jamie, and the entire creative team to bring audiences a series that not only captures my professional and personal journey but also inspires and entertains.”
Production details on Jamie Foxx’s Tyson are scarce beyond the names of those involved and that the boxer himself endorses the project. A release date for the series isn’t known and it is unclear if a studio is attached to the project. However, Hulu’s Mike is very much ready and raring to go, with or without Mike Tyson’s consent. The fact that the man on which the biopic is based has come out just weeks before the premiere in such violent disapproval of the series will likely in this case help fuel intrigue for Mike. It is well known that Mike Tyson has always been a divisive figure, capable of strange and sometimes violent outbursts, but also devastating victories inside the boxing ring. Understanding such a man and why he is the big sell that Hulu is hoping for and the fans could well be drawn to the project simply to see why Tyson is so disproving.
