Mike Tyson has cautioned Jamie Foxx to prepare for the difficult realities of his past as the actor gears up for a biopic role. Foxx is intensifying his workouts to embody the boxing legend physically. The project, long in development, aims to capture Tyson's complex journey.
Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight boxing champion, recently issued a warning to Jamie Foxx regarding the upcoming biopic in which Foxx will portray him. In an Instagram Live interview with Charlie Mack, Tyson expressed enthusiasm for the film but emphasized its unflinching nature. "I’m very grateful. I’m very excited about it," Tyson said. He added, "I’m gonna sit down and tell him the truth and he’s gonna have to learn to process that. It’s not going to be pretty."
Tyson's life has been marked by significant controversies, including a 1991 conviction for raping an 18-year-old woman, which led to a prison sentence. His record also includes charges related to drugs, alcohol abuse, and driving under the influence. Despite these challenges, Tyson is regarded as one of the fiercest boxers in history and believes Foxx, an Oscar winner, will deliver a strong performance.
Foxx, who recently discussed the project with filmmaker Mark Birnbaum on Instagram, is committed to a rigorous transformation. His current routine involves 60 pull-ups, 60 dips, and 100 press-ups every other day. He plans to gain 10 to 15 pounds of muscle and joked about needing prosthetics for his calves, saying, "I ain’t got no legs, I ain’t got no calf muscles."
The biopic has been in development for years, with Foxx noting that films based on real people can take up to 20 years to complete. "We officially got the real ball rolling," he said. Foxx hopes the story will help audiences, young and old, understand Tyson's journey. Martin Scorsese was once attached as director, though Foxx did not mention him in recent comments.
Foxx has prior experience playing real figures, earning an Academy Award for his role as Ray Charles in the 2004 film Ray. Tyson himself has appeared in films like Rocky Balboa, The Hangover, and The Hangover Part II. He was previously depicted by Michael Jai White in the 1995 TV movie Tyson.
