Michael Ealy has joined the cast of an upcoming limited series set to detail the life and experiences of Muhammad Ali. The actor has landed the role of Malcolm X in Prime Video‘s The Greatest from executive producer Michael B. Jordan and executive producer/showrunner Ben Watkins.
According to Deadline, the series is set to depict the defining moments in Ali’s life and career — both in and out of the ring, including moments that took place outside of the spotlight. It is described as being “about a man, a husband, a father, a brother, and a son.”
With Ealy on board, he officially joins the club of actors who have portrayed the civil rights leader in a fictional work, which includes Mario Van Peebles, Nigél Thatch, Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, and Kingsley Ben-Adir. As noted by the outlet, the Reasonable Doubt star has previously performed live readings of Malcolm X’s words, including in the documentary film The People Speak.
Michael Ealy attends amfAR Gala Los Angeles 2022 at Pacific Design Center on November 03, 2022 in West Hollywood, California.
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for amfAR
Kai Parham has also joined the cast as Ali’s younger brother, Rudy Clay. Previously announced talent includes Omari Hardwick and Dana Gourrier, who will lead as Cassius “Cash” Clay Sr. and his wife Odessa “Bird” Clay, respectively. Additionally, Snowfall star Amin Joseph will play Sonny Liston.
The series is produced by Jordan’s Outlier Society as part of an overall deal with Amazon MGM Studios, Watkins’ Blue Monday Productions, Authentic Studios, Roc Nation, Polygram Entertainment, a Universal Music Group partner, and Grace: A Storytelling Company.
The legendary boxer’s widow, Lonnie Ali, is also an executive producer on the project.
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