Powerhouse entertainment banners Outlier Society, Roc Nation and Amazon Studios are partnering to produce the limited series currently titled The Greatest, based on the life of boxing champion Muhammed Ali. Michael B. Jordan of Outlier Society spoke about the upcoming production in an interview with Deadline.
Known for his roles in the boxing drama Creed and Marvel tentpole Black Panther, Jordan decided not to portray Ali in order to avoid the series being too closely associated with his past roles. Instead, another actor will be cast to play the role of Ali. Executive produced by Jay Z’s Roc Nation, the series will differ from past projects on Ali by focusing more on his experience outside the ring.
“It’s a project where we’ve partnered with the estate and we’ll be able to tell this story with no red tape,” said Jordan. “People know Muhammad Ali from his boxing days, but this is an opportunity to go beyond the ring, and more into the man. It’s going to give more of a 360 degree view of who he was — and no, I’m not playing that guy, I can say that for sure, and we are still in early stages here and can’t say too much.”
He continued, “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.”
Jordan has made immense plans for the future of Outlier Society’s partnership with Amazon Studios. Some of those plans consist of ramping up diverse storytelling with purposeful messaging, along with optimizing opportunities from the newly minted first look deal for features and exclusive TV overall deal with Amazon.
First on the schedule is the release of the Stefano Sollima directed Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse penned by Will Staples and Taylor Sheridan. The film starring Jordan features him as Navy SEAL John Clark as he finds himself entangled in a conspiracy after seeking revenge for the murder of his wife. Jodie Turner-Smith (Queen & Slim), Jamie Bell (Rocketman), Lauren London (Games People Play), Guy Pearce (Disturbing the Peace), and Colman Domingo (Candyman) are part of the cast, as well. The film is expected to release on April 30, 2021.
“To have a home where they will bet on me, where they believe in me as much as I believe in myself, and give me the room to grow,” Jordan said. “This feels like an awesome fit.”
