Fresh off his Sports Illustrated “ Sports Person of the Year” title, LeBron James is focused on celebrating another sports icon.
On Monday, HBO announced plans to develop a documentary based on the life of Muhammad Ali. The film will be produced in conjunction with LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s production company, SpringHill Entertainment and “Training Day” director, Antoine Fuqua’s production company Fuqua Films.
The untitled project, which will air on the premium cable network as a multi-part documentary, will chronicle Ali’s “greatest triumphs and comebacks, painting an intimate portrait of a man who, against all odds, dreamed and achieved the impossible, over and over again,” according to an HBO press release.
“It’s tough to put into words how much it means to me to be a part of this project honoring the legacy and telling the extremely important story of the great Muhammad Ali,” James said in the press release.
“He transcended sports and used his platform to empower people, which paved the way for all athletes and people of every race and gender that came after him, myself included,” he added about the boxing legend and social activist who passed away on June 3.
Lonnie Ali, wife of the late sports icon, went on to state that the film will reflect Ali’s multi-faceted life ― an inspiring story with national and global appeal.
“I’m hopeful this documentary will engage the audience in a similar way Muhammad engaged his audience and fans,” she said in the release. “Without a doubt, Muhammad’s life journey provides simple yet extraordinary lessons for all of us, with perhaps the most important one being, to see and embrace the humanity in all people.”
The documentary adds James’ commitment to social activism. Last month, the NBA star pledged a $2.5 million donation to an exhibit honoring Ali at the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
No premiere date has been set for the developing project.
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