Prime Video announced they had greenlit a new television series to be “the first authorized scripted series about the life of global icon, boxing champion, and humanitarian Muhammad Ali,” titled The Greatest. Jaalen Best (Magnum P.I., All American: Homecoming) is set to play Ali.
According to Prime Video’s official press release, The Greatest will explore the highs and lows of Ali’s career and life story, showcasing how Ali became a legend inside and outside the boxing ring. The intimate nature of the show will explore the fact that “the heartbeat of the story is fueled by all the moments that took place outside of the spotlight. The world remembers an icon, but The Greatest is about a man, a husband, a father, a brother, and a son.”
Producing the series is Ben Watkins (Burn Notice, Cross) with the company Blue Monday Productions, Polygram Entertainment, Authentic Studios, Roc Nation, Grace: A Storytelling Company, a Universal Music Group partner and Michael B. Jordan (Black Panther, Creed) with the Outlier Society, the same production company to produce the Creed Franchise, via the official press release.
The official press release continues that Watkins will take on the role of showrunner and executive producer for The Greatest. Joining as executive producers are Corey Salter (What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali, Agent Elvis), Matthew Gross (Across the Universe, Body of Proof), Marc Rosen (What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali, Agent Elvis), President of Operations for Universal Music Group, Boyd Muir (Love to Love You, Donna Summer), Executive Vice President of Universal Music Group, Michele Anthony (The Velvet Underground, Beastie Boys Story), David Blackman ((Love to Love You, Donna Summer, James Brown: Say It Out Loud), Stefano Agosto (Square Wheels), Josh Wakely (Pearl Jam: Retrograde, Parkland Rising) and Lonnie Ali (The Muhammad Ali Story, Independent Lens).
The series has the support of Ali’s wife, Lonnie Ali, and therefore, “unprecedented access to the estate of Ali,” reports the press release. Ali commented on the upcoming show, saying, “I’m thrilled to be producing The Greatest alongside Ben Watkins who captured the essence and nuance of Muhammad. With Jaalen Best, we have uncovered a soulful gem. He is such a talented young man who not only embodies Muhammad, but exudes his resilience, courage, charisma and confidence.”
While the series is still in early production, when The Greatest debuts, it will be available to stream exclusively on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.