It’s officially set: Jamie Foxx will executive produce and star as Mike Tyson in an upcoming limited series. The project, which has been in the works for years, will be a limited series instead of a film.

Tyson, which will tell the life of the legendary boxer, will be directed and executive produced by Antoine Fuqua. Martin Scorsese will also executive produce via his Sikelia Productions. Rick Yorn, Ian Montone, Chuck Pacheco and James Barnett will also executive produce for LBI Entertainment. Mike Tyson and Kiki Tyson will also executive produce with Sophie Watts and John Ryan Jr. for Mike Tyson’s Legends Only League. The League’s Azim SPicer will associate produce. Colin Preston is writing the series.

In a statement, Tyson said he has been waiting to tell his life story to his audience.

“I have been looking to tell my story for quite some time,” he said. “With the recent launch of Legends Only League and the excitement from fans following my return to the ring, now feels like the perfect moment. I look forward to collaborating with Martin, Antoine, Jamie, and the entire creative team to bring audiences a series that not only captures my professional and personal journey but also inspires and entertains.”

Tyson, who has become a fixture in pop culture, recently returned to the ring with his Legends Only League, in which he fought against Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition fight broadcast worldwide from the Staples Center in Nov. 2020. The fight became one of the 10 highest grossing Pay-Per-View events ever.

This news comes as Hulu has greenlit an 8-episode scripted limited series, Iron Mike. The series is from the team behind the Margot Robbie-starrer, I, Tonya. Tyson is against the project and is not involved.

Back in February, he said, “Hulu’s announcement to do an unauthorized 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 has transpired in 2020. My authorized story is in development and will be announced in coming days.”

Tyson

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