Michael B. Jordan & Jay-Z To Produce Muhammad Ali TV Series For Amazon Studios

While most of his career has been spent thrilling audiences as a leading man, the multitalented Michael B. Jordan is beginning to find a life on the opposite end of the camera as well. With recent reports that Jordan will make his directorial debut with Creed 3 and is actively developing DC’s Static Shock movie, the actor’s Outlier Society production banner inked a first-look deal with Amazon Studios. As first reported by Deadline, one of the first projects stemming from the agreement will be a biographical series focusing on the life of Muhammad Ali titled The Greatest.

Per the initial report, Jordan will serve as the series executive producer via Outlier Society. Additionally, hip hop icon Jay-Z will board the project as executive producer as well via his Roc Nation company. Additionally, the estate of Muhammad Ali will produce as well. Meanwhile, Josh Wakely (Motown Magic) will write the series.

While Jordan has a wealth of knowledge portraying a boxer thanks to the wildly successful Creed franchise, Jordan will not portray Ali in the series. During a joint interview with Amazon Studios Head Jennifer Salke, Jordan talks about his excitement to tell collaborate with Amazon to tell this story.

READ: Black History In Film: ‘Ali’ Review – “The People’s Champion”

“It’s an incredible honor and I bring tons of respect to it,” Jordan said. “This is a healthy weight to carry, to be able to tell the story of Muhammad Ali. It’s called The Greatest right now and we’re partnered with Roc Nation on the music side of things. A project with the estate and we’ll be able to tell this story with no red tape. It’s a limited series that will really dive into the life of Muhammad Ali. I’m not going to be too specific beyond that, but we’ll be able to get to know him in ways we haven’t had a chance to before. I’m really excited about it, as a boxing enthusiast and since this is the world I’ve been living in the past five or six years with the Creed franchise. To be able to honor Muhammad Ali and elaborate on his legacy is something I’m really excited about. And I know Jen and Amazon are as well.”

Nicknamed The Greatest, Muhammad Ali is one of the most celebrated figures of the 20th century. Additionally, he is one of the greatest boxers of all time. With a stellar record in-between the ropes, Ali is a multi-time Heavyweight Champion. However, his faith and activism shaped his legacy as a hero for the people. Previously, he has been portrayed by Will Smith in 2001’s Ali and, more recently, by Eli Goree in Regina King’s One Night In Miami.

What do you think? Are you looking forward to Amazon’s The Greatest? Let us know in the comments below!

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