Will Smith’s Muhammad Ali bio to return to theaters

PanARMENIAN.Net - Sony Pictures is giving the Greatest of All Time one final victory lap, TheWrap said.

Michal Mann’s 2001 Muhammad Ali biopic, “Ali” — starring Will Smith as the late boxer — will be released back into several hundred locations around the U.S., the studio said Wednesday, June 8.

The film charts 10 years in the legend’s career from 1964 to 1974 and costars Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight, Jeffrey Wright, Mario Van Peebles, Nona Gaye and Jada Pinkett Smith.

“With the passing of Muhammad Ali, we have received many requests for this film to return to theaters, in celebration of his life,” said Sony’s President of Worldwide Distribution Rory Bruer.

“The film truly honors everything that made Ali one of the central figures of our time, a man who commanded his sport but whose personal faith and principles made him mean so much more,” Bruer added.

The film landed two Academy Award nominations, one for Best Actor for Smith and one for Best Supporting Actor for Voight, who played sports journalist Howard Cosell.

“Ali” was produced by Jon Peters, James Lassiter, Paul Ardaji, Mann and A. Kitman Ho.

The boxer passed away last Friday in an Arizona medical facility, surrounded by his family. The official cause of death was “septic shock due to unspecified natural causes,” said spokesman Bob Gunnell.

Ali’s body is expected to be transported to his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, where he will be laid to rest this Friday in a public funeral service.

Also Read: Muhammad Ali Streaming Guide: Where to Watch Highlights From His Life

Gunnell said the services will begin with a procession through the streets of the city. The funeral will take place at the KFC YUM! Center and be led by an imam in the Muslim tradition.

Bill Clinton, Billy Crystal and Bryant Gumbel will be among the eulogizers. A private, family-only burial will follow.