The Greatest (upcoming TV series)

Last updated

The Greatest
GenreBiopic
Created byBen Watkins
Directed byBen Watkins
Starring
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
Production companies
Original release
Network Amazon Prime Video

The Greatest is an upcoming television series biopic of Muhammad Ali from Amazon MGM Studios for Amazon Prime Video. The series is produced in collaboration with Muhammad Ali's estate with executive producer's including his widow Lonnie Ali, as well as Josh Wakely and Michael B. Jordan.

Contents

Cast

Production

Development

The series received a series order from Amazon Prime Video in July 2024 with the series produced in collaboration with Muhammad Ali's estate. The rights to his life story were originally acquired by executive producer Josh Wakely, who brought the project to Amazon. It is produced by Amazon MGM Studios. [1]

Ben Watkins is executive producer and showrunner on the series with Watkins executive producing via Blue Monday, as well as director of the first two episodes. Michael B. Jordan will executive produce for Outlier Society, with Outlier’s president Elizabeth Raposo also executive producer. Lonnie Ali, the widow of Muhammad Ali and Authentic Brand Group’s Corey Salter, Marc Rosen and Matthew Gross are also executive producers on the series as are Michele Anthony and Boyd Muir. It is also produced by Authentic Studios, Roc Nation, Polygram Entertainment, a Universal Music Group partner, and Grace: A Storytelling Company. [2] [3] [4]

Casting

The cast is led by Jaalen Best as Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali. [5] Omari Hardwick and Dana Gourrier were cast as his parents in February 2025. [3] Kai Parham plays Ali’s brother and fellow boxer Rudy. Amin Joseph will feature as Sonny Liston, and Michael Ealy has a recurring role as Malcolm X. [4]

Filming

Filming took place in Cobourg, Ontario in April 2025, and at the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority, an Art Deco style building in Hamilton's North End in July 2025.

Additional filming locations also including Toronto and elsewhere in Hamilton. [6] [7] [8] [4]

References

  1. Hailu, Selome (11 July 2024). "Muhammad Ali Series 'The Greatest' Greenlit at Amazon Prime Video With Widow Lonnie Ali as EP, Jaalen Best to Star". Variety. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  2. Andreeva, Nellie (11 July 2024). "Muhammad Ali Series 'The Greatest' Starring Jaalen Best Greenlighted By Prime Video From Michael B. Jordan & Ben Watkins". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  3. 1 2 Otterson, Joe (5 February 2025). "Muhammad Ali Amazon Series 'The Greatest' Casts Omari Hardwick, Dana Gourrier". Variety. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 Cordero, Rosy (7 May 2025). "Prime Video's Muhammad Ali Series 'The Greatest' Begins Production; Ben Watkins Set To Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  5. Jackson, Angelique (5 February 2025). "M88 Signs 'The Greatest' Star Jaalen Best (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  6. Gittins, Susan (24 January 2025). "Prime's THE GREATEST With Jaalen Best as Muhammad Ali Filming in Toronto This Spring". North Hollywood Buzz. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  7. "What's filming in Toronto and which celebrities you may just bump into". Toronto.com. 19 March 2025. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  8. Fisher, Pete (1 May 2025). "Video – "The Greatest" Wraps Up Filming in Cobourg". Todaysnorthumberland. Retrieved 7 May 2025.