For Life and Top Boy star Nicholas Pinnock is set to portray boxing legend Muhammad Ali in A God Amongst Men.
According to Variety, The biographical film will reportedly chronicle the heavyweight boxing champion’s 1977 visit to Tyneside, U.K. He stars in the film opposite Christopher Eccleston
Of course, Pinnock is not the first to take on the role of Ali.
The role of Muhammad Ali was recently portrayed by Eli Goree in Regina King’s directorial debut One Night In Miami and Will Smith in 2001’s Ali.
Pre-production for the film will start in August. The film is directed by James Newton, who co-writes alongside Ian Skelton.
“A God Amongst Men’ is based upon the true story of how one man, Johnny Walker, outrageously claimed that he would bring Muhammad Ali to Tyneside in 1977 to save a boxing club from closure,” Newton said in an official statement.
“Johnny was instantly ridiculed and he became a laughing stock. But Johnny didn’t give up on his dream. He found the people to help make the impossible possible.”
Aside from Top Boy and For Life, Pinnock could also be seen in Letitia Wright’s short film Things I Never Told My Father, in which he plays one-half of a father-son duo whose dynamic touches on themes of toxic masculinity and mental health struggles. The film premiered at Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) in Los Angeles in April.
'A God Amongst Men' is produced by Adam Rolston and David Braithwaite for Studio Pictures.
Bob Clarke and Picnik Entertainment’s Nicola Pearcey will serve as executive producers for the film.
A God Amongst Men is expected to wrap filming by the end of the year.
