The former boxing heavyweight champion of the world called the series “tone-deaf.”
Moonlight leading man Trevante Rhodes took a few years off after his healthy post-Oscars win, as most cinephiles recently saw him alongside Andra Day in The United States vs. Billie Holiday.
His next project, however, is causing a commotion within the movie industry.
According to Deadline, Rhodes has signed on to play Mike Tyson in Hulu’s upcoming limited series, Iron Mike. Also onboard as a producer, the eight-episode drama comes from the team behind the Margot Robbie-led I, Tonya, and will “explore the wild, tragic, and controversial life and career” of the Brooklyn-born boxing icon.
Back in February, Tyson issued a statement which criticized the project, declaring the series “unauthorized” and “unfortunate” in a statement to ET. To note, Tyson, alongside Jamie Foxx, and directors Martin Scorsese and Antoine Fuqua, is producing an eponymous biographical limited series, which stars Foxx as Tyson and was announced in March.
“This announcement on the heels of social disparities in our country is a prime example of how Hulu’s corporate greed led to this tone-deaf cultural misappropriation of my life story,” Tyson’s statement read back in February. “To make this announcement during Black History Month only confirms Hulu’s concern for dollars over respect for Black story rights. Hollywood needs to be more sensitive to Black experiences especially after all that has transpired in 2020. My authorized story is in development and will be announced in [the] coming days.”
The Tyson project has been a highly-anticipated, long-gestating event. Jamie Foxx , who will be starring as the “most dangerous man in sports entertainment,” was involved for some time, stating last year that he was deep into training for the role, though at the time it was said to be a biopic rather than a series.
“I have been looking to tell my story for quite some time,” Tyson said in a statement. “With the recent launch of Legends Only League and the excitement from fans following my return to the ring, now feels like the perfect moment. 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.”
