The gloves are off! HBO Films confirmed that it will bring the TV film adaptation of Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth to the cable network later this year. The former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Spike Lee will be filming in New York in July.
“I’m incredibly grateful to HBO for partnering with me and for believing in my story,” said Tyson, in a statement. “It is an honor and a privilege to be working with them to bring my one-man show, Undisputed Truth, to life on the television screen.” Michael Lombardo, President of HBO Programming, added, “Mike Tyson’s one-man show is a fascinating journey into his storied life and career, and we are thrilled to have Spike Lee bring it from the stage to the screen for our viewers.”
Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth is a personal look inside the mind of one of the most feared men to ever wear the heavyweight crown. The one-man show chronicles the infamous athlete’s life, including his battle with drug abuse, bankruptcy, his conversion to Islam and of course, his boxing career. Undisputed Truth played at Broadway’s Longacre Theatre from August 2, 2012 through August 12. Tyson recently wrapped up a 10-week U.S. tour of the solo show, which kicked off in Indianapolis and made stops in more than 36 cities.
In addition to his title as a former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, Tyson holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles. Tyson has played himself on film and TV in The Hangover, The Hangover II, Entourage, Play It To the Bone, Rocky Balboa and When Will I Be Loved.
Lee earned Oscar nominations for directing Do the Right Thing and 4 Little Girls. His many films include Inside Man, 25th Hour, He Got Game, Malcolm X, Crooklyn, Bamboozled and Jungle Fever. In 2009, Lee filmed the Broadway production of the musical Passing Strange.