LeBron James, Antoine Fuqua to Develop Muhammad Ali Doc for HBO

By Sameer Rao Dec 12, 2016

NBA star LeBron James and director Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day") are set to co-produce a new HBO documentary on Muhammad Ali.

The Hollywood Reporter announced today (December 12) that Fuqua will direct the still-untitled multi-part documentary, which is already in production. James and Fuqua will executive produce the project via their respective production companies.

"This documentary will have national and global appeal," the late boxer and activist’s wife, Lonnie Ali, said in a statement to media. "I’m hopeful this documentary will engage the audience in a similar way Muhammad engaged his audience and fans. Without a doubt, Muhammad’s life journey provides simple yet extraordinary lessons for all of us, with perhaps the most important one being, to see and embrace the humanity in all people." Fuqua and James partnered with the Ali estate on the documentary, which will feature never-before-scene footage and photos courtesy of Ali’s family. 

"He transcended sports and used his platform to empower people, which paved the way for all athletes and people of every race and gender that came after him, myself included," James said in the statement. "It’s important that his story continues for generations to come."

As The Washington Post reported last month, James donated $2.5 million for a new Ali-focused exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). 

Ali died in June, prompting reflection on a legacy that included risking prison time and losing his title to protest structural racism and war.