Despite the controversy, the upcoming Hulu series about Mike Tyson’s life is moving forward. The 8-episode series titled Iron Mike was announced by the streaming service in February. Reported by THR, the series is moving forward and has cast Award Wining actor, Trevante Rhodes, to play the lead role of Mike Tyson. Rhodes will also be one of the Executive Producers on the project.
Hulu released an official statement in February which said,
“Hulu has picked up 8-episode limited series Iron Mike. From the team behind I, Tonya, the series explores the wild, tragic and controversial life and career behind one of the most polarizing figures in sports culture – heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.
From 20th Television and created by I, Tonya screenwriter Steven Rogers, showrunner Karin Gist will executive produce with Claire Brown of The Gist Of It, along with the I, Tonya team of Rogers, director Craig Gillespie, Clubhouse Pictures’ Bryan Unkeless and Scott Morgan, LuckyChap’s Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley and Brett Hedblom and Entertainment 360’s Darin Friedman.”
After the statement was released, Tyson expressed his feelings about the upcoming project stating that it was a, “Tone-deaf cultural misappropriation of my life story.” In a full statement to THR the boxer said,
“Hulu’s announcement that they were going to do an unauthorised miniseries of my life, although unfortunate, isn’t surprising. 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.
“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 transpired in 2020.
Tyson soon after announced his own biopic project about his life that will star Jamie Foxx. The boxer will be one of the Executive Producers on the project and will be hands on with telling his story in his own way. Neither of the biopic series’ have announced an official release date. I guess we will have to sit tight to see which Iron Mike biopic will take the win!
