EXCLUSIVE: Prime Video‘s new Muhammad Ali limited series The Greatest continues casting as production is underway in Toronto. Giovanni Ribisi (Strange Darling, Saving Private Ryan), Reno Wilson (Dexter: Original Sin, Mike & Molly), Erica Tazel (Justified, MLK/X), and Aleks Paunovic (Reacher, Fire Country) have been cast in recurring roles.
The eight-episode series from Ben Watkins (Cross) will feature defining moments in Ali’s life and career, both in and out of the ring, that have been well documented, and moments that took place outside the spotlight. The world remembers an icon, but The Greatest is about a man, a husband, a father, a brother, and a son.
Jaalen Best leads the cast, portraying Ali, the boxing legend, in a series-regular role. Rounding out the leading cast are Omari Hardwick and Dana Gourrier, who will star as Cassius “Cash” Clay Sr. and his wife Odessa “Bird” Clay, respectively, parents of Muhammad Ali and Rudy Clay. Kai Parham plays Ali’s brother and fellow boxer, Rudy. Amin Joseph will play Sonny Liston, Ali’s rival and the heavyweight champion. In a recurring role, Michael Ealy will play Malcolm X.
Ribisi will play Angelo Dundee, who trained Ali during various parts of his career as a boxer.
Wilson will play Bundini Brown, Ali’s cornerman and sometimes speech writer. Brown is credited with writing the boxer’s most popular quote, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, rumble, young man, rumble.”
Tazel will play Geraldine Liston, wife of boxer Sonny Liston, until his death.
Paunovic will play William Faversham Jr., the eldest son of Broadway actor William Faversham Sr., who provided financial support and advice to Ali during his early years as a boxer.
Alongside Ben Watkins and Michael B. Jordan, Outlier Society president Elizabeth Raposo will executive produce with Lonnie Ali, Authentic Brand Group’s Corey Salter, Marc Rosen, and Matthew Gross. Craig Siebels is the Executive Producer and Producing Director. Additional executive producers include Aiyana White and Jeff Augustin; Roc Nation; Michele Anthony, Boyd Muir, and co-EP David Blackman for Polygram; and Josh Wakely via his Grace: A Storytelling Company. Stefano Agosto, EVP Television at Outlier Society, will oversee the project on behalf of the company.
Ribisi is repped by Linden Entertainment, CAA, and Gretchen Rush at Hansen, Jacobson, Teller,
Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox.
Ribisi is repped by Linden Entertainment, CAA, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller.
Wilson is repped by Buchwald and More / Medavoy Management.
Tazel is repped by Gladys Gonzalez and Pakula/King & Associates.
Aleks is represented by Trisko Talent Management and Wright Entertainment, Inc.
