From I, Tonya to the upcoming Cruella, director Craig Gillespie has demonstrated a knack for telling tales with anti-heroes as protagonists. Up next, he'll do the same with boxer Mike Tyson, although without Tyson's blessing.
Hulu has ordered eight episodes of a biopic called Iron Mike, a new show that will follow the ups and downs of Tyson's career. In the press materials, Hulu calls Tyson "one of the most polarizing figures in sports culture."
Naturally, Tyson is none too pleased with the show, which he has not authorized. He shared the following statement with The Hollywood Reporter:
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.
Along with his accolades as a boxer, Tyson was convicted of rape in 1991 and served three years of a six-year prison sentence. After returning to boxing, he was famously disqualified from a match in 1997 after biting off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear in the ring.
Gillespie's I, Tonya screenwriter Steven Rogers created the show, and it's being produced by Margot Robbie and her LuckyChap production company. Casting for the show has not yet been announced.
Hulu has ordered eight episodes of a biopic called Iron Mike, a new show that will follow the ups and downs of Tyson's career. In the press materials, Hulu calls Tyson "one of the most polarizing figures in sports culture."
Naturally, Tyson is none too pleased with the show, which he has not authorized. He shared the following statement with The Hollywood Reporter:
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.
Along with his accolades as a boxer, Tyson was convicted of rape in 1991 and served three years of a six-year prison sentence. After returning to boxing, he was famously disqualified from a match in 1997 after biting off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear in the ring.
Gillespie's I, Tonya screenwriter Steven Rogers created the show, and it's being produced by Margot Robbie and her LuckyChap production company. Casting for the show has not yet been announced.
