An eight-part event series about boxing icon Muhammad Ali is being developed by Peacock, according to the American entertainment magazine Variety.
Based on the definitive biography of the boxer-turned-activist titled Ali: A Life by Jonathan Eig, the project is executive produced by Oscar-winning writer Kevin Willmott, Morgan Freeman, Lori McCreary and Bridgerton breakout stars Regé-Jean Page and Emily Brown. Eig is producing this ambitious project.
Written by Willmott, the series chronicles eight distinct and defining moments in Ali’s life. Each episode will be framed by one of his iconic fights, but they will mostly capture the drama outside the ring.
Though Page is executive producing the show, there is currently no deal in place for him to star as Ali. Revelations Entertainment, CBS Studios and UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, serve as the studios.
After his breakout performance in Netflix’s Bridgerton in 2020, Page starred in Russo Brother’s action film The Gray Man and will next be seen in the upcoming film adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
Willmott is an Academy Award-winning film director and screenwriter. He is known for work focusing on the Black experience in such projects as BlackKklansman, Da 5 Bloods, The 24th, Chi-Raq and Jayhawkers.
Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman is known for his roles in films such as The Shawshank Redemption, Million Dollar Baby and Seven. He has previously served as an executive producer on projects like Madam Secretary and Invictus.