I've just heard Bernard Hopkins on FNF saying that a movie producer wanted his collaboration to produce a movie reflecting The Executioner's life! Hope all this will lead to something. Anyone have more information on this?
Hopkins is the most charismatic black boxer of recent times, someone who was born in an age (60s) and place (Philly) where racial issues played a major role and that affected his entire life and thinking. Given his controversial remarks, trash talk and unique career he's Hollywood-ready I just wonder how will they portrait his borderline racism and where will they find it's roots. Given a movie is about 2 hours long, there isn't much time to put an entire career in perspective and from a sports history standpoint Hopkins at age 40+ is more interesting than the typical cliché of the low life underdog pulling it together and winning a title (even though IT'S REAL with Hopkins, but I'm sick of this kind of ending, what happens AFTER the title is usually as much interesting if not more.) I'd expect to pick up Hopkins' life eiher from the streets or from Graterford, first pro loss, pulling it together, tough life as an ex-con, puttng his team together, Roy loss and then the Mercado fights, but if it was me, I'd split the plot into two parts, one from retirement-to-back-to-the-ring-and-to-real-retirement, and the other being the early career days, one reflecting to the other with 15 years in between. In about 130mins with the two plots varying over the movie the story could show BH reaching the 'American Dream' and what happens when he realizes it's not enough. Either way, I'd wait BHop's career to end because you never know if it's gonna end with something crazy.
That's a tough one. I'd definitely pass on A-list Hollywood stars and look for lesser knowns, look around TV like the Wire cast or something. If they do look for a parallel storyline with a young and older BHop an early 30s actor would be ideal who can be masked both younger and older. The trainer from The Wire could actually play Nazim. Good question about Bouie. I'd also welcome literally unkown but talented local actors from Philly to get a natural feeling.
Theyd probably make a film highlighting his life until he becomes MW champion, or possibly until the Trinidad win. Thats what i would do
the climax of this film should be when bernard gets bent over and banged by a white boy - joe calzaghe :deal
