Trevante Rhodes left fans stunned this week when the first images of him portraying Mike Tyson surfaced online.
The 32-year-old, most widely known for his roles in “Moonlight” and “Birdbox,” is the star of Hulu’s “Mike,” which follows the life and career of professional boxer Mike Tyson. The eight-episode series will give viewers a look into the childhood and tumultuous adult life of one of boxing’s most prolific figures.
The trailer includes glimpses of a young Tyson boxing and his training as a teenager, finally moving towards his early years as a professional fighter. In one scene, we see Tyson in the ring appearing to move towards the side of his opponent’s face, likely the portrayal of his infamous fight with Evander Holyfield, in which he bit off part of his ear.
Hulu’s rendition of Tyson’s life may be a welcome event for fans, but Tyson has previously blasted the show, calling it a “tone-deaf cultural misappropriation.” Instead, he handpicked veteran actor and comedian Jamie Foxx to take on the role in a biopic led by him. In a series that is already eyeing the award circuit, Antoine Fuqua will direct, while the legendary Martin Scorsese serves as one of the executive producers. As of now, that series does not have a network home but is currently being shopped around with several interested platforms.
In the meantime, Hulu’s “Mike” will debut on August 25th.
